Eight-year-old's love for Ariana Grande could have saved her from Manchester suicide bomb attack
Toni Ann Wakeman-Massey and her daughter Olivia narrowly escaped the suicide bomb attack on Manchester Arena which killed 22 people on Monday night.
Desperately wanting to watch every second of US popstar Ariana Grande’s performance, Olivia begged her mum to stay to the end, instead of beating the traffic.
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Hide AdLittle did they know, that decision could have saved their lives as a suicide bomber detonated a nail bomb in the arena foyer just minutes later.
Toni, from the Broadfield area of Leyland said: “We heard a mighty bang just below us and looked to see people scrabbling over chairs, screaming as they ran.
“We didn’t know what was happening, but security guards were just shouting ‘run’ and Olivia was screaming ‘we’re going to die’.”
The explosion killed 22 people, including eight-year-old Saffie from Tarleton, as well as injuring 119 others.
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Hide AdSo-called Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the terror attack, which is the worst since the 7/7 bombings in London.
Hairdresser Toni, who owns Classeys Salon, had only bought the tickets the night before the concert as a surprise for her daughter.
“She was really excited about the gig but we ended up running out of the arena towards the car park terrified,” Toni said.
“There were grown men crying and we knew something just wasn’t right. All I could hear was Olivia screaming and sirens.”
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Hide AdToni and Olivia, arrived home after midnight to see the devastation unfold with 18-year-old Georgina Callader, also from Tarleton, named as another victim.
“That night, Olivia kept waking up saying ‘I can’t get the bomb noise out of my head’,” Toni said.
“I just kept thinking what if, there’s so many what ifs. We could have been in that foyer.”
On Tuesday night, villagers in Tarleton held a vigil in memory of two “beautiful girls”, Saffie and Georgina.
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Hide AdAnd Toni says being so close to the tragic incident is having a big effect on her daughter.
“I told her she didn’t have to go to school but she said she wanted to,” the 31-year-old said.
“I think she is a bit overwhelmed and feels like a bit of a celebrity because so many other children keep asking her questions.
“Olivia still can’t believe it and she keeps wanting to read more about what happened.
“When she saw about Saffie she wanted to lay some flowers and I just hope we can get back to normal but I know it’ll take time.”