The taxi driver who drove Southport killer Axel Rudakubana to the scene of the 2024 knife attack before fleeing has received more than £5,000 through a public fundraising campaign, it has emerged.
Gary Poland, 57, was the last person to transport Rudakubana before the teenager launched the fatal attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, killing three young girls and injuring 10 other people.
Fundraiser Launched After Vehicle Was Seized
A crowdfunding page established eight days after the attack raised £5,002 from 363 donors.
The appeal stated that Poland’s newly purchased taxi had been seized by police for forensic examination, leaving him unable to work while he continued making vehicle payments and meeting other financial commitments.
The campaign also described him as traumatized by the events and suggested he had been left unable to earn an income while his vehicle remained in police custody.
However, it remains unclear how the funds were ultimately used. Under police procedures, owners generally are not required to pay storage fees when vehicles are retained for forensic investigations.
Taxi Licence Revoked Following Council Review
Sefton Council has confirmed that Poland no longer holds a taxi driver’s licence after a review concluded he failed to meet the authority’s required standards.
Although the council did not disclose the specific reasons because licensing hearings are conducted privately, it stated that the decision followed an assessment of his fitness to continue operating as a licensed driver.
Council guidance also requires taxi drivers to act to help protect children and to contact emergency services immediately if they believe a child faces imminent danger.
Inquiry Heard Driver Delayed Contacting Police
During the Southport public inquiry, Poland admitted he did not immediately call emergency services after hearing what he later described as horrific screams coming from children fleeing the attack.
Instead, he said he drove away believing gunfire had erupted and fearing for his own life. He later contacted his best friend before inadvertently accepting another taxi fare through his booking application.
Police were not called by Poland until approximately 50 minutes after he left the scene. Detectives told the inquiry they believed he had a moral responsibility to contact emergency services immediately, although another emergency call placed by dance instructor Leanne Lucas ensured police were alerted without significant delay.
Driver Says Fear and Shock Influenced His Actions
Giving evidence, Poland said panic and terror affected his judgement during the unfolding attack.
He recalled hearing what he initially believed were gunshots before witnessing children running from the building in distress.
In an earlier police statement, he described the sounds as “an orchestra of blood-curdling screams” and said he experienced overwhelming fear after seeing children fleeing for their lives.
Poland told the inquiry he deeply regretted not helping those at the scene but maintained that his reaction was driven by shock and the belief that an armed attacker was present.
Dashcam Recorded Moments Before Attack
Evidence presented to the inquiry showed Poland collected Rudakubana from his home in Banks shortly before midday after the booking had been made under the name “Simon.”
The teenager reportedly wore a face mask and hooded sweatshirt throughout the journey and spoke very little.
After arriving outside The Hart Space on Hart Street, Rudakubana allegedly left the taxi without paying. Poland said he challenged him and threatened to contact police before the teenager entered the building.
Less than 30 seconds later, sounds of panic and screaming were reportedly captured on the taxi’s dashcam as the attack began.
Families Welcome Licensing Decision
Lawyers representing the families of the three girls who were killed said they welcomed Sefton Council’s decision to revoke Poland’s taxi licence, describing it as an important step toward accountability.
The attack claimed the lives of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine. Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured.
Rudakubana later admitted the murders and was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years.
Poland told the inquiry that he continues to suffer psychological trauma following the attack, saying he struggles to sleep and is haunted by memories of the events that unfolded that day.
