'Absolutely terrifying': Leeds dad witnessed deadly explosion as he picked up daughters from Ariana Grande gig

A DAD has described the terror after an explosion at Manchester Arena left at least 22 people dead and injured more, including children and disabled victims.
Armed police (left) at Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion at the venue during an Ariana Grande gig. PAArmed police (left) at Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion at the venue during an Ariana Grande gig. PA
Armed police (left) at Manchester Arena after reports of an explosion at the venue during an Ariana Grande gig. PA

Gary Walker, from Leeds, was with his wife in the foyer waiting to pick up his two daughters who were at the Ariana Grande concert last night.

"I was waiting for the kids to come out. We heard the last song, and quite a few people were flooding out and then suddenly there was a massive flash and then a bang, smoke," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

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"I felt a bit of pain in my foot and my leg. My wife said, 'I need to lie down'. I lay her down, she'd got a stomach wound and possibly a broken leg.

"I was about three metres from the actual explosion. I am surprised I got away so lightly."

Mr Walker said the explosion was by the door in the foyer, next to the merchandise, and that glass and metal nuts were left on the floor.

He said he lay down next to his wife for up to an hour, until she was stretchered on a table to an ambulance.

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His daughter Abigail, who was still in the auditorium with sister Sophie at the time of the explosion, said: "I had to make sure I had my sister. I grabbed hold of her and pulled hard. Everyone was running and crying.

"We were just trying to figure where everyone was. It was absolutely terrifying."

Abigail and Sophie contacted their parents by mobile phone, a moment Mr Walker described as "fantastic news".