Hundreds remember young terror victims
PEOPLE living in Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and communities beyond gathered to pay tribute to two girls who were killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack.
Hundreds of community members gathered at a vigil in Mark Square in Tarleton on Tuesday to remember “beautiful” little Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, and Georgina Callander, 18.
Saffie, who was a pupil at Tarleton Community Primary, is believed to have been at the Ariana Grande show with her mum and older sister
eorgina was a popular pupil at Runshaw Colllege and Bishop Rawstorne.
A large community gathering was impeccable in observing two minutes’ silence for Saffie and Georgina, which was followed by a long round of applause by everyone who was there.
Chris Upton, headteacher at Tarleton Community Primary, said: “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 her family and friends.
“The thought that anyone could go out to a concert and not come home is heartbreaking.
“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.”
Tributes were also paid to “Ariana superfan” Georgina Callander, who also died in the attack.
The West Lancashire teen- ager was a pupil at Runshaw College, where she was studying health and social care.
Bishop Rawstorne school in Croston shared an emotional post on their Facebook page confirming that their former student had died.
It said: “Following the shocking events in Manchester yesterday, we have been informed that one of our former students, Georgina Callander, has died as a result of injuries sustained.
“Georgina was a lovely young student who was very popular with her peers and the staff and always made the most of the opportunities she had at the school.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Georgina’s family at this terrible time, and we think especially of her brothers Harry and Daniel who are also former students of the school.”
Runshaw College also shared a heartbreaking update on Facebook saying: “It is with enormous sadness that it appears that one of the people who lost their lives in Monday’s Manchester attack was one of our students here at Runshaw College.
“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to all of Georgina’s friends, family, and all of those affected by this loss.”
Twenty-two people are believed to have been killed and a further 64 injured when a bomb exploded in the foyer of Manchester Arena after the Ariana Grande show on Monday night.
It is believed that suspected suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a home-made device at the end of the concert. Home Secretary Amber Rudd said that it “seems likely” that Abedi was not acting alone.
The bomber was also known to security services before the attack, she told the BBC.
The UK terror threat level has now been increased to its highest level of “critical”, meaning more attacks may be imminent.
This means military personnel will now be deployed to protect key sites.
Those injured in the attack are being treated at eight hospitals in Greater Manchester.
Many have life-threatening conditions, the Prime Minister said.
Jon Rouse, chief operating officer for Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, yesterday said that 64 people were receiving hospital treatment, some as outpatients, and 20 remained in critical care.
Other victims have been named as Olivia Campbell, 15, John Atkinson, 28. Halewood schoolgirl Megan Hurley, Alison Howe, 45, lisa Lees, 47, angelika and Marcin Klis, Martyn Hett, 29, Kelly Brewster, 32, Jane Tweedle-Taylor, and Nell Jones, 14.