Furness teens help youngsters separated from family in Manchester Arena terrorist attack

Georgia Shippen, 18, of Askam, and three teen pals were at the Ariana Grande concert last night when the suicide bombing unfolded, killing 22 people including children.

Georgia was with friends Sophie Langley, 18, Chloe Johnson, 17, and Joshua Woodsworth, 18.

The Barrow Sixth Form College student said: "We feel so much for the families of the people who have died and been injured. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. It's heartbreaking.

"We have been shaken up by this. We feel so lucky to have got out safely.

"You don't think things like this will happen. It's so awful."

The group had travelled to the event by coach with Millenium Concert Travel.

Georgia said: "We were in the arena and the lights had just come on. There was this big loud bang. We thought it was something to do with the balloons at first.

"You could see people running and screaming. I think there was also another smaller bang.

"We ran and followed everyone, we were all a bit shocked, but we made sure that we stuck together.

"Children were crying and getting separated."

The A-Level student said they saw smoke as they were exiting the arena and that the staff were very good helping people.

She said: "I got in contact with my family, they were also shaken.
"There were two girls in front of us who had lost a big sister, we stayed with them outside."

The Furness teens had to go and get their coach but they had received a text to say the girls had been reunited with the older sister and all were fine.

Georgia said: "When we got on the bus, it hit us. When we heard people had died, that knocked me sick."

The group had entered the arena near to where the explosion took place. They said they are thankful that they left when they did and via a different route.

Barrow Sixth Form College has offered counselling and support to students affected by the attack.