‘Horror has changed our lives’ – mum
AMUM who was caught up in the blast with her daughter has described how the experience has ‘changed their lives’.
Emma Oldham, 43, her daughter Beatrice, and her friend Izzy Wilkinson, both 12, all escaped the terror attack unharmed.
The mum-of-two from Poynton said she feels a ‘mixture of emotions including anger, sadness, relief and guilt’.
Emma, a nursery manager said, the gig was a birthday present for Beatrice.
She said: “It had been brilliant. The girls had such a good time, and then it suddenly changed.
“There was an almighty explosions and everyone just stopped. It was a sound I had never heard in my life, but I knew it was a bomb.
“Then there was screaming and people running in our direction. “I was expecting gun shots. It was horrific. In the chaos I lost sight of the girls but somehow managed to spot them and grab hold of the their hands.”
Emma described a ‘horrible’ smell and smoke.
She said: “Beatrice had a panic attack. Everyone around me was crying. Both girls then became hysterical. I kissed them both and tried and reassure them. As we made our way out I saw people with blood on them. I saw two young girls on their own just frozen. I encourage them to keep moving out. Everyone was looking after each other. As we spilled onto the streets I saw parents hugging their children, and others watching the crowds in fear and horror.”
Emma and the girls managed to get home, but have spent the last week trying to come to terms with the experience.
She said: “That first night we were in shock and didn’t sleep. Beatrice had nightmares. I have spent the last week relieving it. I am drained. I feel anger, sadness, relief and guilt. I got home okay, but so many didn’t.
“This has changed our lives.”
Emma and Beatrice joined hundreds of people outside St George’s Church in Poynton for a candlelit vigil to honour those killed in the Manchester terror attack.
The event was organised by Macclesfield College student Hatti Camli, 17.
Hatti, from Poynton, said: “I had quite a few friends who were there. Luckily they all survived.
“The number of people who came to the vigil shows our humanity, solidarity and kindness.”