Lancashire Post columnist heard '˜earth-shattering' suicide bomb attack from his Manchester apartment

Picture taken by Lanchasire Post columnist Darryl Morris moments after the suicide bomb attack on manchester Arena.

Darryl Morris lives just a few hundred yards from the Manchester Arena and even heard the “earth-shattering” bomb which killed 22 people from his apartment.

The 26-year-old radio presenter rushed down the road only to see hundreds of terrified people running for their lives.

“The first person I came across was a father who was clutching his daughter,” Darryl said. “He just said ‘suicide bomber’ and my heart sank.”

The attack saw a nailbomb detonated in the foyer of Manchester Arena as thousands of fans were leaving US popstar Ariana Grande’s concert.

Darryl said: “I started speaking to people but at first I was getting very conflicting reports.

“Some said it was a speaker which had blown but I knew it couldn’t have been because it was an unbelievable noise.

“Then the emergency services just seemed to appear from the sky as if from nowhere and I was stunned by their commitment and bravery as they went straight into help people.”

Teenage student Georgina Callander and eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos were the first of the 22 who lost their lives to be identified.

Both came from the Tarleton area where villagers held a vigil last night in memory of two “beautiful girls” and to show their support for the 119 injured in the blast.

So called Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the terror attack, which is the worst since the 7/7 bombings in London.

“Since the attack, I’ve been working almost constantly,” Darryl said. “But it’s been hard to ignore the great compassion shown in Manchester.

“People just going out of their way to look out for each other and you can’t walk 10 yards without seeing someone hugging someone else.”

On Tuesday night, thousands of people gathered in for a vigil in Manchester’s Albert Square to show their defiance against the terror less than 24 hours earlier.

“The vigil was just incredible,” said Darryl who lives in the Green Quarter with his girlfriend.

“Poet Tony Walsh gave a barn-storming performance and you could definitely feel a real sense of resilience.

“There’s also a sense of carrying on and although it’s forced, I think we have to force ourselves to carry on.

“I’m originally from Bolton but I’ve lived in Manchester for six years now and this shows is this city won’t be beaten by this.”