Taxi driver who dropped off Southport suspect 'unable to talk about it'

A TAXI driver who reportedly dropped off the Southport attack suspect just before three children were stabbed has been left traumatised by the tragedy, his wife says.

- Chris Riches

Gary Poland, 55, drove the suspected killer moments before the terrifying knife attack at a dance class in a local community centre.

Now, Gary's wife Lynn has spoken of her husband's trauma at knowing he had the suspect in his cab just before the stabbings. Lynn said: "He's unable to talk about it at the moment. He feels terrible.

"All he's thinking about is what happened to those children." Neighbours described Gary as a "kindly man" who had offered to give them all lifts during the pandemic.

His car has now been seized by police investigating the attacks, leaving him unable to work.

A friend has launched a GoFundMe page that has already topped its £2,000 target in a bid to help him get a new car so he can continue his job.

The fundraiser, launched by friend Liam Rice, reads: "Gary, like all of us, is very shocked and upset by what happened.