On 3rd November 2022 the second report produced by the Manchester Arena Inquiry was released, finding that at least one life could have been saved following the 2017 terrorist attack.

The 1,000-page report comes following the ongoing investigation into the bombing at Manchester Arena, and looks specifically at the response of the emergency services. This report has found that the emergency services response was “far below the standard it should have been”, explaining that the police, fire, and ambulance services failed to work together that evening.

The Inquiry found that the injuries of one victim, John Atkinson, were survivable, had he received the proper care in a timely manner.

Of the 22 victims of the horrific attack, the Inquiry Chair ruled that 20 victims suffered unsurvivable injuries. The Chair also said that he “cannot exclude the possibility” that the youngest victim of the attack, Saffie-Rose Roussos, whose family is represented by Broudie Jackson Canter’s Nicola Brook, could have survived her injuries had she received the proper treatment on time.

Nicola Brook, the lead solicitor representing five families in the Manchester Arena Inquiry, said:

“This damning report reveals what the families knew all along – that all the organisations meant to protect their loved ones failed on an enormous and unfathomable scale. To compound the families’ pain, they were then forced to listen to denials, excuses and finger-pointing rather than admissions of the terrible mistakes made. So much distress could have been spared had Greater Manchester Police admitted its glaring failures from the start.

“Saffie’s parents Andrew and Lisa have pushed to get answers about what happened to their beautiful daughter over five and a half incredibly traumatic years. After initially believing the blast had killed Saffie instantly, the pain of that loss was compounded by learning that she had lived for over an hour. Even more distressing was learning that their little girl had asked if she was going to die, something no parent should have to hear. To finally learn today that Saffie was denied medical care that had the potential to save her life is a devasting blow. However, it is testament to their strength that they have taken comfort that the daughter they loved so much fought for life until the end. The family is comforted that the chair has made recommendations to help close the care gap that may have made all the difference to Saffie.”

The Manchester Arena Inquiry is ongoing, with a third and final report due to be released in 2023.