Today an inquiry into how the emergency services handled casualties in the aftermath of the Manchester terrorist attack has been released.
In May 2017, 22 people lost their lives when an Islamist extremist suicide bomber detonated a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb in Manchester Arena’s foyer.
The inquiry has found that there were multiple failings by the emergency services which led to victims dying, who otherwise could have survived.
Victim John Atkinson has been named in the inquiry as a victim who could have been saved if the emergency services acted quicker.
Atkinson died after he suffered a heart attack due to a significant blood loss.
Emergency services have responded to the criticisms in the report during a live conference.
GMP Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson has commented: “Our actions were substantially inadequate and fell short of what the public had every right to expect.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has also come under criticism for arriving two hours after the explosion, revealed in the inquiry.
Chief Officer Dave Russel of GMFRS said: “Our response that night was wholly inadequate and totally ineffective and that will be forever a massive deep regret for our service.”
The Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D’Orsi said: “On behalf of everyone at British Transport Police – I am truly sorry.”
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