A taxi driver lost his license after waiting 50 minutes to report a killer he had dropped off in Southport. Gary Poland drove Axel Rudakubana to Hart Space in Southport on July 29, 2024, before the teenager carried out a fatal knife attack that claimed the lives of three children and injured several others. An inquiry concluded that the tragic incident could have been prevented if proper action had been taken by authorities.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that Mr. Poland left the scene after hearing screams and witnessing children fleeing due to what he thought were gunshots. Instead of immediately contacting the police, he made calls to a friend before taking on another fare. Only after returning home did he inform the authorities about the attacker.
Following a review of his fitness to hold a taxi license, Mr. Poland no longer possesses one, as determined by Sefton Council. Despite his appeal, the council upheld the decision, stating that he did not meet the required standards. The decision coincided with responses to the initial phase of the Southport Inquiry, which highlighted missed opportunities that could have prevented the tragedy.
One of the recommendations from the inquiry suggested that licensed taxi drivers should promptly report serious crimes witnessed while on duty, with potential license consequences for failing to do so. The Department for Transport plans to implement this recommendation by late 2027. In response to the inquiry, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged systemic failures leading up to the 2024 incident and pledged to address them to ensure public safety.
The inquiry will resume with a preliminary hearing next week before the second phase commences in London in September.
