Gary Poland, the taxi driver who transported Axel Rudakubana to the scene of a fatal attack on children in Southport, has received over £5,000 in public donations. The funds were raised for a new car after Poland's vehicle was seized by police for forensic analysis following the July 29, 2024, incident.
Murderer Rudakubana, then 17, killed six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar at The Hart Space, a holiday club. Ten other children and two adults were injured.
Poland, 57, has since had his taxi license revoked by Sefton Council for failing to meet appropriate standards. He admitted to hearing "an awful orchestra of blood-curdling screams" and seeing children flee in his rearview mirror as the attack unfolded. Despite this, he drove away from the scene, later stating he acted out of "fear, shock and panic," believing Rudakubana might have had a gun. He did not call the police immediately, instead contacting a friend and taking another fare before calling authorities approximately 50 minutes after the attack.
A fundraising page established eight days after the tragedy stated that Poland's new car had been seized and that he faced potential costs for its impoundment and ongoing car payments. The page sought an estimated £2,000 to cover his expenses while he was out of work and his car was unavailable. In total, 363 donors contributed £5,002.
Sefton Council confirmed Poland's taxi license revocation, noting that drivers are expected to be in a position to help keep children and young people safe. The council's regulations stipulate that drivers should call emergency services if they believe a child is in immediate danger.
During a public inquiry in September of the previous year, Poland expressed regret for not helping the children sooner, describing their screams as "harrowing." He recounted hearing what he believed were gunshots and driving off in "complete mortal terror and shock." Dashcam footage from his taxi captured sounds of distress just 29 seconds after Rudakubana entered the dance studio.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 52 years. He was ordered to serve this sentence at Liverpool Crown Court in January of last year.
Representatives for the three bereaved families welcomed the revocation of Poland's license, describing it as a necessary step toward accountability. Poland stated he has suffered psychological issues since the attack, including sleep disturbances and recurring images of the attacker's face. He has since stopped picking up fares from unknown individuals.