My dad tied jumpers around my wounds, it was scary... but I’m OK compared to so many – Millie Robson, 15
MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS: QUEEN GOES TO SEE SURVIVORS
SMILING bravely in her hospital bed, survivor Millie Robson tells the Queen how the Manchester bomb ripped holes into her legs, yet insists she is one of the lucky ones.
Wearing an Ariana Grande T-shirt from Monday’s ill-fated concert, 15-year-old Millie said: “I have holes in my legs and cuts, but compared to other people I am OK.”
The Queen condemned the “wicked” terror attack as she visited child victims in hospital yesterday.
Millie told her about the horror of the blast and how dad David, who was at the Manchester Arena to take her home after the gig, helped save her life.
She said: “I remember the explosion and then a ringing in my ears which went on for ages and people screaming and things like that. It was quite scary.
“Dad picked me up and tied jumpers around my two main wounds and ran outside to get help.”
David of Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham, said: “We were at the top of the stairs and saw Millie and her friend come out so we waved at them and they started running towards us.
“Then there was this boom. It went white, it was surreal, then just quiet. We then ran down and picked up Millie and her mate and got out of there.”
The Queen was visiting a ward where four young injured girls were recovering after the attack in which 22 were killed and 119 injured – 32 of whom are still in hospital, 14 of them children
She told victim Evie Mills, 14, and her parents: “It’s dreadful. Very wicked. To target that sort of thing.” The Queen told Evie’s parents, from Harrogate, North Yorks, that “everyone is united” following the attack.
Amy Barlow, 12, of Helmshore, Lancs, suffered multiple leg injuries and was struck by a bolt on her side in the blast.
Her dad Grant and mum Cathy told how a merchandise seller ripped up T-shirts to stem Amy’s bleeding.
Grant, 46, said: “The guy selling T-shirts used them as bandages.”
Cathy added: “He dumped his bag on the floor, ripped them all up. He was on the phone to the doctor, and he said ‘get her leggings off, hold her feet up’.”
The Queen also met doctors, nurses, clinicians and porters who worked through the night after the atrocity.
She told one staff member: “The awful thing was that everyone was so young. The age of them.”
Yesterday all those who lost their lives in the attack had been named, as those previously unaccounted for were confirmed dead.
Seven were children under the age of 18 – the youngest eight-year-old Saffie Roussos, from Leyland, Lancs, who had been at the concert with her mum Lisa.
Tron, 32, who died after going to the arena to collect Courtney’s sister Nicole, 14, who survived.
Courtney’s mum Deborah Hutchinson, 42, said: “My stunning, amazing beautiful daughter, you were my rock, you made me so proud with all you had achieved. And my gorgeous, crazy Philip, you made my world a happy place. And now you are both my angels flying high in the sky.”
Another victim was 15-year-old Olivia Campbell, from Bury, Greater Manchester. Her mum Charlotte pleaded with crowds at a vigil in the town: “Please stay together. Don’t let this beat any of us, please. Don’t let my daughter be a victim.”
Former primary school teacher Wendy Fawell, 50, from Otley, West Yorks, was also confirmed dead.
Wendy, who worked at a St Oswald’s C of E Primary School in Guiseley, was at the gig with daughter Charlotte, 15, along with a friend and her sons.
Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, was also killed, and her mum and grandmother were among those seriously injured. Mother Samantha was recovering from surgery while the grandmother was in intensive care. Sorrell’s grandad told how the schoolgirl dreamed of becoming an architect “so she could build hotels with slides coming out of the rooms, and build her mum a house”.
Pop superstar Mariah Carey paid tribute to fan Martyn Hett, 29, who died in the tragedy. Martyn, a PR manager from Stockport, had joked online in March: “I have a huge lump on my head because my Mariah Carey canvas fell off the wall and hit me. This is honestly the gayest injury I’ve ever had.”
Carey posted a photo of Mr Hett wearing a fan T-shirt, saying: “RIP Martyn Hett. We will cherish your memory forever.”
Off-duty Detective Constable Elaine McIver was yesterday named as one of the victims as it was revealed her partner Paul was also injured.
Elaine, 43, from Frodsham, had served with Cheshire Police for 20 years and was part of an elite unit combatting organised crime.
Her family said: “She was everyone’s friend, thoughtful beyond belief with an effervescent and outgoing personality. She would want us all to carry on regardless and not be frightened by fear tactics. Instead, she regularly urged us all to rise up against it.”
Bereaved families will be offered the chance to visit the scene of the attack once forensic work has finished.
Up to 60 relatives are being looked after at a hotel in the north of the city, supported by medics and counsellors.