‘We continue to mourn our beloved Eilidh’

THE family of Scots teenager Eilidh Macleod have told of their ‘nightmare’ since last May’s bombing and praised rescuers who helped the wounded.

The 14-year-old was one of 22 people who died at the Ariana Grande concert, having gone to the show with her friend Laura MacIntyre, who was badly injured in the attack.

Eilidh, from the Hebridean island of Barra, was the only Scot killed in the atrocity.

In a statement, her parents Marion and Roddy, and sisters Shona and Laura, said: ‘As a family, we have considered Lord Kerslake’s report into the Manchester Arena tragedy and the recommendations in it.

‘We greatly welcome and acknowledge the levels of welldeserved admiration for the numerous acts of heroism the report highlights.

‘We wish to echo the praise awarded to individuals who made life-and-death decisions by keeping first responders at the arena.

‘There is no doubt these first responders provided the dying and injured with vital comfort and aid at their time of most need.’

The family added: ‘As we approach the first anniversary of her death, we continue to mourn our beloved Eilidh.

‘We think of her in the same bright and positive light that shone from her during her short life with us. We also mourn all victims of atrocity.

‘We remain positive that any outcomes from [the inquiry] will help to educate and inform individuals, services and heads of service. Throughout this whole nightmare our respect and admiration for all the emergency services remains undiminished.’