John Atkinson, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena attack, could have survived if not for ‘inadequacies’ in the emergency service response, a report has found.
The report from the inquiry into the atrocity stated that it took an hour and 16 minutes before the 28-year-old care worker received the medical treatment he needed for his severe leg injuries.
In that time, a brave member of the public – Ronald Blake – used his wife’s belt as a makeshift tourniquet on John’s leg for almost an hour.
The harrowing report details how John, who was still conscious after the blast at an Ariana Grande concert, at one stage clung on to the advertising board that was used as a makeshift stretcher, which later buckled under his weight – something that ‘must have been very painful for him’.
The 22 victims
He suffered multiple cardiac arrests and was declared dead at Manchester Royal Infirmary at 12.24am.
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The long-awaited inquiry report from Sir John Saunders was published this afternoon and outlines in upsetting detail the things that ‘went badly wrong’ on that devastating night at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017, despite the heroic and brave efforts of those who attended the scene.
It says that there were communication failures between emergency services, such as Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, British Transport Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, as well as a lack of preparedness for an emergency of this scale.
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Sir John’s report states that 20 of the 22 victims suffered ‘unsurvivable’ injuries – one who stood a chance of survival was John Atkinson, the other was the attack’s youngest victim, Saffie-Rose Roussos.
Saffie-Rose Roussos was the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena attack – the report says there’s a ‘remote possibility’ she could have survived
It was noted that there was only a ‘remote possibility’ that the eight-year-old girl could have been saved. She drifted in and out of consciousness for 26 minutes after the bomb detonated.
But of John Atkinson, it said: “In the case of John Atkinson, his injuries were survivable. Had he received the treatment and care he should have, it is likely that he would have survived. It is likely that inadequacies in the emergency response prevented his survival.”
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His family said: “It is now clear beyond any doubt that on the night of the bombing John was totally failed at every stage, both by the private medical providers at the arena – ETUK – and the emergency services. It is crystal clear that due to those failings, John died from injuries that he could and should have survived.”
Sir John praised the ‘heroic acts’ of those who tried to help victims of the arena attack.
He wrote: “These were members of the public who were in or around the Arena; people who worked at the Arena or in the Victoria Exchange Complex; and members of the emergency services who went into the City Room in the early stages.
“These people ignored the risks to their own safety to try to do what they could to help the dying and the injured.”
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He but concluded that ‘a great deal went wrong’ in the emergency service response.
Only three paramedics entered the arena foyer, and no stretchers were taken from the waiting ambulances – instead, injured people were carried using boards, crowd barriers and tables. It was a ‘painful and unsafe way of moving the injured.’
Sir John concluded his Manchester Arena report with: “I believe that I have got to the truth of what happened on that dreadful night. I have certainly had assistance from many clever, hardworking and motivated people to do so. I am very grateful to them all.
“I also hope fervently that what comes out of this Inquiry will make a difference, and I ask all those concerned with what happens next to ensure that it does.”
Featured image: Family handout
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Government to begin giving millions of UK workers ‘significant’ pay rises from this week
Emily Sergeant
The Government is to begin giving more than three million workers across the UK a ‘significant pay boost’ from this week.
Announced as part of last year’s Budget, and in a bid to ‘put thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year’, the Government confirmed back at the beginning of February that a new National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10 per hour would take effect from April onwards.
Ministers said the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage – which is now worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a ‘significant step’ towards delivering the manifesto commitment to deliver a ‘genuine’ living wage.
Today, millions of working people will get a pay rise as the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increase.
New rates:
🔹 from £11.44 to £12.21 if you’re 21 and over 🔹 from £8.60 to £10.00 if you’re 18-20 🔹 from £6.40 to £7.55 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 1, 2025
On top of this, the National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to go up by a record increase of £1.40 an hour, which means full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year.
The minimum wage pay boot has also been called the first step towards removing the ‘unfair’ age-bands that see a 21-year-old getting paid more than a 20-year-old for doing the same job.
According to the Government, this is also the first time the National Living Wage has taken into account the cost of living and inflation.
Three million UK workers will be getting a ‘significant’ pay rise from this week / Credit: Pexels
“In the last Parliament, living standards were the worst on record and sky-high inflation was crushing working people’s finances,” commented Chancellor Rachel Reeves, explaining why the pay boosts are being introduced.
“Making work pay is good for workers, will strengthen businesses’ workforces, and will grow our economy for years to come.
“It’s a key milestone on my number one mission to get more money in people’s pockets as we deliver our Plan for Change.”
Not only that, but the minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also set to be boosted later this year too, with an 18-year-old apprentice seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18% to £7.55 an hour.
As a result of these particular changes, a further four million workers also could benefit from the positive spill-over impacts of the rate increases.
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Body of woman found in River Mersey last year finally identified after ‘extensive’ investigation
Emily Sergeant
The body of woman who was found in the River Mersey last year has finally been identified.
Following what has been described as an ‘extensive investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team to determine the identity of the body, which was sadly discovered in the river adjacent to Chorlton Water Park on 21 March 2024, the family of the victim has now been informed and supported by specialist officers.
The victim has been formally named as 38-year-old Laura Stanley, who was originally from Derbyshire but was living in Stockport.
After the body was discovered, and ‘exhaustive and determined’ investigation by GMP officers began to identify here, including detailed checks of both national and international databases.
The Major Incident Team (MIT) also closely worked in collaboration with specialist forensic service providers to create an anthropological profile, which eventually culminated in the creation of a facial reconstruction image.
Following several media appeals, a relative of Laura contacted officers and then a DNA match was confirmed through a familial link.
“Laura was a kind and gentle person with a great sense of fun and adventure,” Laura’s family said in a heartbreaking tribute to her.
“She was generous, thoughtful, caring and always keen to volunteer within the community. Laura was a proud and loving mum and she will be greatly missed by her girls and all of her friends and family who loved her dearly.”
The River Mersey, across from Chorlton Water Park, where Laura’s body was discovered / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
While Laura has now been identified, police say further investigations will take place to understand her last movements, the events that led to her death, and her discovery in the river.
Additionally, as is standard practice, GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate is also reviewing a previous missing report relating to Laura in the time before the discovery of her body, which will determine prior contact relating to Laura, and whether the appropriate measures were enacted.
#UPDATE | A woman who was discovered in the River Mersey last year has been identified following an extensive investigation by officers in GMP’s Major Incident Team.
Thank you to those of you who have shared our appeals over the last year.
Anyone who knew Laura and thinks they may be able to assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat Service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024.
Alternatively, you can contact the Major Incident Team Syndicate 3 directly on 0161 856 9479, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.