A taxi driver who transported the Southport attacker to a children's holiday event in July 2024 departed the scene as the violence unfolded, despite hearing the initial screams. Gary Poland, 57, had dropped off Axel Rudakubana at the location before the massacre began at the Taylor Swift-themed club.

In the months following the incident, Poland received approximately £5,000 from public donations, which he subsequently used to purchase a replacement car. The disclosure that he accepted public funds after abandoning the emergency has prompted scrutiny regarding whether such support was appropriate given the circumstances of his departure.