Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA taxi driver, Gary Poland, has been stripped of his licence by Sefton Council following a review. Poland drove Axel Rudakubana to the scene of a mass stabbing in Southport in July 2024, where Rudakubana murdered three children and attempted to murder 10 others. Despite witnessing children fleeing and hearing screams, Poland drove away from the scene, believing he heard gunshots. He waited 50 minutes before contacting emergency services, having picked up another fare and returned home first. Poland expressed regret during the Southport Inquiry in September 2025, saying he wished he had called the police earlier and helped the children. In fullSouthport taxi driver who ‘waited 50 minutes’ to call 999 loses licenceMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

A council review found the taxi driver who dropped off Southport killer Axel Rudakubana no longer met the standards required to hold a private hire licence following evidence…

Gary Poland , 56, listened to four or five loud bangs and claimed he drove away 'in complete mortal terror and shock' because he feared Rudakubana had a gun and was shooting…