HERO PAUL: I CAN’T GET OVER HELL

He still suffers nightmares

A HERO who comforted the youngest Manchester bombing victim has told how his life fell apart after he learned she had died.

Forklift truck driver Paul Reid, 44, was standing on steps outside the city’s Arena when the blast happened and dashed inside to help.

He gave first aid to eight of the injured and dying.

Paul, left, calmed the youngest victim – eight-year-old SaffieRose Roussos – before helping her onto a makeshift stretcher.

But when he later found she was one of 22 to die in the Islamic State attack by suicide bomber Salman Abedi, Paul was gutted.

He has been haunted by nightmares ever since and is undergoing counselling for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Paul will mark the first anniversary of the atrocity today, joining victims’ relatives, survivors, 999 responders, Prime Minister Theresa May and the Duke of Cambridge at a 2pm remembrance service in honour of all those who died.

Well wishers have already placed cards on the Trees of Hope near to the city’s Victoria Station, left. Paul, from Darlaston, West Mids, said: “It has had a massive impact on me.

“I’ve been on long-term sick leave ever since the bombing. I have been mentally affected by everything that happened.

“The attack devastated me. It changed my life.”

Saffie had gone to the Ariana Grande concert with mum Lisa, 49, and sister Ashlee, 24, who were both seriously hurt.

Lisa awoke from a coma to be told of her daughter’s death. Her husband Andrew, 44, said the family had since quit their home and fish and chip shop in Leyland, Lancs, and moved away.

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