The instructor who shielded children when a knifeman stabbed young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been rushed back to hospital after her condition suddenly deteriorated. Former primary-school teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, tried to protect the children in the class she was running during an attack which left three young girls dead on July 29. She was rushed to hospital and had life-saving surgery, later being released with a warning that she faced a long road to recovery.
But friends say she had now been readmitted after suffering breathing difficulties. Posting to a GoFundMe page set up to support the instructor , a friend wrote: "Unfortunately this week Leanne was readmitted to hospital due struggling with her breathing. She is waiting for an operation for another drain on her lung due to infection.
"Leanne had barely begun her road to recovery. Please keep her in your thoughts and continue supporting her as you have been by sharing the page & donating anything you can. Thank you all from the Lucas family & friends.
" It comes after reports that Leanne had "bravely tried to protect" the children who were targeted by the attacker. She reportedly planned the two-hour dance and yoga session to coincide with the school holidays, and taught the class alongside Heidi Barlow. Heidi was also injured in the attack.
A fundraiser has also been launched for Heidi, who rushed to lock the children in a toilet to keep them safe. A friend of the dance teacher wrote: .