Arena bomb man, 29, is still missing
Distraught family wait for news of concert-goer Martyn
THE distraught family of a Stockport man who remains missing after the Manchester Arena bomb say they are ‘worried sick’ as they wait to find out if he has survived.
Martyn Hett, 29, from Heaton Moor, has not been seen or heard from following the explosion at the end of Monday night’s Ariana Grande concert.
Police say a male suicide bomber detonated a home made device at around 10.30pm, killing at least 22 people and injuring 120 with some of the victims children.
Martyn had been at the concert with a friend but went to the bar around 20 minutes before the explosion and did not make con-
-tact again afterwards.
The search for him continues and his picture has been shared across social media, including by comedian Jason Manford, a friend of the family.
Martyn’s brother Dan said: “We are worried sick but have nothing but thanks and gratitude on behalf of my city to the people who have opened up their businesses to take people in, ferried people home and spread the word to get people found.”
Martyn, a PR manager, is known as a huge fan of soap Coronation Street and has a distinctive Deirdre Barlow tattoo on his leg.
The friend who was at the concert with him, Stuart Aspinall, 25, has posted on Facebook pleading for information.
Speaking after the attack he said: “It was so surreal. It almost didn’t seem real but everyone started running and screaming.”
Responsibility for the attack, which is the worst in Britain since the London bombings in 2005, has been claimed by Islamic State.
The youngest known victim is aged just eight. Sixty ambulances were called and the wounded are being treated at eight hospitals around Manchester including Stepping Hill.
Police have arrested a man, 23, in connection with the attack.
Stockport MP Ann Coffey has condemned those responsible, saying: “This is a vile act of unspeakable barbarism and murder. The worst thing is children were targeted.”