INNOCENCE LOST
Victims of Manchester terror attack
Saffie-Rose Roussos
Eight-year-old Saffie-Rose, who died from her injuries at the concert, was remembered by her school as a beautiful little girl.
Tarleton Community Primary School’s headteacher, Chris Upton, said the news was “heartbreaking”.
“News of Saffie’s death in this appalling attack has come as a tremendous shock to all of us and I would like to send our deepest condolences to all of her family and friends,” Upton said.
“Saffie was simply a beautiful little girl in every aspect of the word. She was loved by everyone and her warmth and kindness will be remembered fondly. Saffie was quiet and unassuming with a creative flair.
“Our focus is now on helping pupils and staff cope with this shocking news and we have called in specialist support from Lancashire County Council to help us do that.
“We are a tight-knit school and wider community and will give each other the support that we need at this difficult time.”
She was at the concert with her mother Lisa Roussos and Saffie’s sister, Ashlee Bromwich, aged in her 20s. Saffie’s parents are believed to run a fish and chip shop in Leyland, Lancs.
Georgina Callander
The first named victim of the Manchester terror attack was Georgina Bethany Callander, an 18-year-old Ariana Grande superfan who was excited to see her idol on Monday night.
Callander had met Grande in 2015, and posted excitedly on Instagram about the time she met the star.
Her college, Runshaw College in Lancashire, confirmed she was dead, saying: “Georgina Callander was a former Bishop Rawstorne pupil studying with us on the second year of her health and social care course.
“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s family, friends, and all of those affected by this loss.”
Before the concert, Callander wrote on Twitter: “SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU TOMORROW.”
The student was a big fan of music and film, and has posted many proud pictures on social media of herself meeting her idols.
Olivia Campbell
Olivia Campbell, 15, was mourned by her mother, Charlotte Campbell.
In a Facebook tribute she said: “RIP my darling precious gorgeous girl Olivia Campbell taken far far to soon. Go sing with the angels and keep smiling mummy loves you so much.”
A heartbroken Campbell had broken down in tears on television earlier in the day, when her daughter was missing.
She spoke of how she had not spoken to her daughter Olivia since she set off for the event.
“I can’t get through to her. I’ve called the hospitals, I’ve called all the places, the hotels where people say that children have been taken.
“I’ve called the police. There’s no news, I’ve just got to wait. I’m waiting at home just in case she turns up here,” she told the morning programme.
John Atkinson
Pop fan John Atkinson was reportedly leaving the venue when the blast hit.
A local police force tweeted: “As the news comes in, the sympathies and condolences to the families of Georgina Callander, Saffie Rose Roussos and John Atkinson #RIP”.
Tributes were paid by local adult dance troupe Freak Dance Radcliffe, for whom Atkinson, 26, danced competitively.
A message on Facebook from the group read: “Today is an amazingly sad day! We have lost a member of our dance family.” They described him as a “happy, gentle person” and a “real pleasure to teach”.
Kelly Brewster
Office worker Kelly Brewster died protecting her niece from the blast. Brewster, 32, was at the concert with her sister Claire and niece Hollie Booth.
Brewster had put a deposit on a house with her boyfriend the day before the attack. On Facebook, Tracy Booth said her granddaughter Hollie had had both of her legs broken and Hollie’s mother had a broken jaw. Brewster had been looking forward to a “bright future” with her boyfriend Ian Winslow, 36, a mortgage adviser, a family member said.
John Brewster, 62, the father of distraught Ian, told the MailOnline: “Kelly was a lovely lass. When I think of her now, all I remember is her smile . . . Ian’s 7-year-old daughter absolutely idolised her. They went for holidays in London together.”
Martyn Hett
Martyn Hett, a Coronation Street superfan who had a tattoo of Deirdre Barlow on his ankle and with his boyfriend won Come Dine With Me, was another victim.
Russell Hayward, his boyfriend with whom he appeared on Come Dine
With Me, tweeted: “We got the news last night that our wonderful, iconic and beautiful Martyn didn’t survive.
“He left the world exactly how he lived, centre of attention. I’m in a really bad way so please forgive if I don’t reply.”
Alison Howe and Lisa Lees
Two mothers waiting to collect their teenage daughters were among the victims, their families said yesterday.
Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 47, from Royton, Oldham, were waiting together in the foyer of the arena when the bomb exploded. Both had been reported missing after the attack.
Marcin and Angelika Klis
Marcin and Angelika Klis, Polish parents of a student at the University of York, have been confirmed dead.
Marcin, 42, and Angelika, 40, were at the concert to pick up their children.
Their 20-year-old daughter had posted a plea for help on Facebook when they didn’t contact her after the attack.