Manchester Arena bombing victim John Atkinson, 28, would probably have survived but for inadequacies in the emergency response, the Manchester Arena Inquiry has found
The Chairman has published Volume Two of his report into the death of the 22 victims of the attack on 22 May 2017.
‘There were significant failings by a number of organisations in preparation and training for emergencies, and in their actions on the night of the attack.’ said Sir John Stevens
A failure to co-ordinate police, fire and ambulance staff meant victims of the Manchester Arena bombing waited far too long for help.
Inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders says if firefighters had not been held back the outcome would’ve been different
We heard heartbreaking evidence of the injured and the rescuers hearing the sirens of ambulances, knowing paramedics were close by, only for them not to arrive in the sort of numbers that were needed,’ said Sir John Stevens
He added though that his critique should not overshadow the individuals within the emergency services who were willing and ready to protect the public and also said
“There was no evidence that individual firefighters or members of the ambulance service were anything other than ready and willing to carry out their job of protecting and saving life.”
‘I fully accept the findings of the Chair, Sir John Saunders. It is clear that our co-ordination to the response to this atrocity was poor.’ said the Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Watson,as he responded to the findings of the
“Todays report confirmed everything we feared about the catastrophic failings of the emergency services. Almost everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.” said the families of the victims of the Manchester Arena Bombing speak following the findings of the inquiry.
While Daren Mochrie, Chief Executive of the North West Ambulance Service, said that: “Our ability to work together as blue light partners fell well short of the standards we all expected.”
Sir John Saunders made it clear that he wishes to hold the government and emergency services to his recommendations.
He said that he will meet the Home Secretary again to work out how to do this effectively.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham told survivors and family of the victims
‘You were badly let down on that night. You were entitled to expect much more from our emergency services than the response provided.“
It’s a “disgrace” the Home Office failed to learn the lessons of the 7/7 terror attack, 12 years before the Manchester Arena bombing, said the lawyer acting for the family of John Atkinson, who could have survived if he had received timely treatment.
The inquiry report makes 149 recommendations for change – including ways of speeding up medical care for people caught up in atrocities like the Manchester Arena attack.
Chair Sir John Saunders says he hopes ‘what comes out of this inquiry will make a difference.’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said
Nothing will ease the pain of the families of those killed during the cowardly terrorist attack at Manchester Arena.
It is my solemn commitment to the victims, survivors and their loved ones that we will learn from the lessons of this inquiry.
