PAThe Manchester terror attack has already claimed the lives of 22 people and around 60 more people have been seriously injured following the explosion at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.
The moment I heard the explosion from my flat just two streets away I looked at my phone, realised what was going on and had an impulse to head down and help whoever I could and in whatever way I could.
When I arrived at Victoria Station minutes later, there were people strewn out on the floor receiving medical aid. Others were on their phones screeching with fear to loved ones, letting them know they were OK. Even more were simply stood in shock at what had just happened.
UniladDespite early reports the explosion was a speaker malfunction, it was clear that was not true.
Among the chaos and the fear, there was a sense of calm about the place and that was simply down to the emergency services who had raced to the scene in just a few moments.
As people ran from the site covered in blood or shrieking at what they’d just witnessed and been a part of, it was the ambulance workers, the paramedics and the police men and women who ran towards potential danger to help stricken civilians.
In a daze I stood idly by, trying to do my bit but truthfully I was merely watching in awe as the emergency services did what they were trained to do with a fearlessness and efficiency rarely seen in any other line of work.
Sirens blared across the city, helicopters flew overhead, walkie-talkies were constantly turning on and off as more information was relayed to the countless officers at the scene. All the while, every man and woman in the emergency services knew what they needed to do.
Help.
UniladWithout their quick-thinking and impulse to go towards danger while telling others to clear the area for their own safety was probably the reason the death toll is no higher than 22 at this stage.
While politicians bicker daily at how best to run the NHS and how many policemen and women should be on our streets, it was quite something to watch them work under the greatest of stress.
It’s at desperate times like this where we should all be grateful the men and women in the emergency services are as good at their jobs as they are.
Last night was a horror story I hope I never have the misfortune of witnessing first-hand ever again. Without the incredible bravery of the emergency services, it could have been so much worse.
Manchester is a city and a community that historically is very hard to divide and nights like last night will only bring people closer together.
Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the atrocity.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.