Southport knife attack surgeon honoured by King for saving children’s lives

A surgeon whose life-saving efforts were pivotal in treating children injured during the Southport knife attack has said she is “humbled” at being recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Vittoria Bucknall, a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, is set to receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her exceptional services to children and young people.

Ms Bucknall’s expertise was deemed crucial to the survival of several young victims following the devastating incident in July 2024.

The attack, which occurred at a Taylor Swift dance workshop, tragically claimed the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six. Eight other children and two adults were also injured.

Axel Rudakubana was subsequently jailed for a minimum of 52 years for the murders and attempted murders.

Among those Ms Bucknall helped save was the seven-year-old daughter of the person who nominated her for the honour.

The child was airlifted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool with more than 30 stab wounds and a major haemorrhage. She required immediate life-saving stabilisation and underwent two demanding six-hour surgeries, led by Ms Bucknall and her team.

The surgeon’s work was instrumental in preserving the function of the child’s arms and fingers, enabling a remarkable recovery that now allows her to cartwheel, dance, draw, and write once more.

Speaking from her home in Edinburgh, Ms Bucknall said: “I’m absolutely humbled and overwhelmed to be receiving the medal. It is a little surreal and I am very, very honoured.”

The nominator highlighted that the medical care extended far beyond typical healthcare, describing the challenges faced as akin to a “combat situation.”

They praised Ms Bucknall’s exceptional commitment, noting her continuous support to the family and her visits to the girl both in intensive care and as an outpatient.