LUCKY TO BE ALIVE
East Kilbride girls flee from Manchester terror attack
Two East Kilbride friends yesterday spoke of their “sheer terror” after escaping the horror suicide bombing attack in Manchester.
Sophie MacInnes, 19, and Angela Lumsden, 20, described chaotic scenes at Manchester Arena as 22 people died and 59 were injured in Monday night’s blast following an Ariana Grande concert.
The pair told how they were left with scratches and bruises after being “clawed at” by panicked concertgoers as people fled the foyer after an explosion shook the building.
Student Sophie said: “It was so terrifying – we just feel so lucky to be alive.”
Two East Kilbride friends yesterday said they feel lucky to be alive after being caught up in the horror suicide bombing attack in Manchester.
Twenty-two people, including children, have been killed and 59 injured in the terror blast where 21,000 revellers had been enjoying an Ariana Grande concert.
Police said the lone male attacker, who died in the blast, detonated a homemade bomb.
Sophie MacInnes, 19, from The Murray and 20-year-old Angela Lumsden, from Greenhills, told of the sheer terror and panic that unfolded in the foyer of Manchester Arena after they heard the “earth-shattering” blast on Monday night.
Student Sophie described the “terrifying” moment she realised a bomb had went off.
The former Calderglen High School pupil told the News: “When the show ended we started leaving and as we got to the foyer we heard a loud bang.
“Everyone started screaming and running in all directions – it was so terrifying.
“There was a massive clash. I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I thought it might have been a gunshot but the noise was so loud.
“My ears were ringing and the floor was shaking. I saw everyone panicking and running.”
Sophie continued: “The security were telling us to stay down then someone shouted that it was a bomb so the security shouted at us to get out and run.
“We never saw anyone injured because the explosion happened at the opposite end of the arena from where we were but I have scratches and bruises on my arms from people clawing at me to get out. We are still really shook up.
“We couldn’t sleep at all and are still stuck in Manchester trying to get home as all the trains are off. Our hotel room looks right on to the scene so we just stayed up all night watching the emergency services deal with it all.
“We witnessed family and friends reuniting after losing each other; it was really emotional.
“We just feel so lucky to have got out alive. I can’t imagine being a parent and your child not coming home from a concert.
“It’s crazy for such a vulnerable group of people to have been targeted – so many young children were there.”
In the immediate aftermath of the chaos, the girls texted their parents and posted on Facebook to let everyone know they were safe.
Sharing a news article about the carnage, Sophie posted: ‘To let you know Angela Lumsden and I are both safe. Never been so terrified in my life. Hope everyone else who attended the night tonight is safe and sound.’ Nearby hotels were providing shelter for people who had been separated and had no room for the night. Relatives are using social media to hunt for missing loved ones and an emergency number – 0161 856 9400 – has been set up. Sophie added: “Although these attacks are really scary and you never know where they’re going to happen next, they won’t put me off going to concerts. “It’s so surreal to think so many people died because of this explosion and we were involved in something the whole world knows about. “We send our thoughts and prayers to those lost families still looking for their loved ones. We are just so happy we’re together and safe.”