Faults & prayers

LONDON: Only one paramedic was at the scene of the Manchester Arena terror attack for the initial 40 minutes after the blast that left 22 people dead and hundreds more injured, a public inquiry has been told.

The shocking details were revealed at the public inquiry into the attack perpetrated by jihadist suicide bomber Salman Abedi — who blew himself up as 14,000 young music fans left an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, 2017.

The Sun newspaper in London reported how the inquiry was told a lone paramedic arrived at the arena foyer 19 minutes after the deadly explosion.

Just two more paramedics managed to gain access to the area — about 20 minutes later.

The revelations came as new images were released of Abedi on CCTV apparently praying in a lift moments before the blast with the bomb in his backpack, and walking among the crowd.

At the time it was reported other paramedics were stopped from entering the building over fears there could be another explosive device nearby.

Lead counsel Paul Greaney QC said the inquiry would now have to consider whether lives were lost as a result of a failure to co-ordinate the response of the emergency services.

The inquiry was told that 12 British Transport Police officers had rushed to the arena with first aid supplies within 10 minutes of the bomb exploding.

Casualties were carried out on makeshift stretchers. Only one actual stretcher was used.

The inquiry was also played a desperate 999 emergency call from a bystander treating a dying victim of the bombing.

Ronald Blake rang within seconds of the blast as he was trying to help the severely injured John Atkinson, 28.

“There’s been an explosion at Manchester Arena, in the foyer,” Mr Blake told the call handler.

“There’s loads injured. It’s manic. Big explosion. I’m with a man now who’s injured.” Mr Blake is then heard telling Mr Atkinson: “All right mate. Don’t try moving.”

Mr Blake, who was at the arena to pick up his daughter after the show, was advised on the call to apply a tourniquet.

Some relatives of those who died wiped away tears as the call was played at the inquiry.

The call also raised questions about the response of the emergency services, in particular the fatally slow reaction of North West Ambulance Service.

Mass casualty vehicles were not deployed by NWAS and neither were stretchers sent to treat the 22 who later died and the hundreds who were injured.

Experts described the response as “less than adequate”.

The case of Mr Atkinson was highlighted as emergency crews came under the spotlight on the second day of the inquiry in Manchester.

The victim was only evacuated from the scene of the blast 46 minutes after Abedi detonated his homemade bomb packed with shrapnel in the City Room.

He was taken on a makeshift stretcher to a triage area of Victoria Station, which forms part of the arena venue site, and remained there for 24 minutes.

However, chest compressions were only started on him an hour and 15 minutes after he was first injured in the blast.

He was one of the 22 people who died in the attack.

The inquiry continues.