Police Chief failed victims at the Manchester Arena bombing

The senior police officer involved in the Manchester Arena bombing incident was awarded a bravery award. However, during a subsequent inquiry it was stated that he was at the core of the failed emergency response.

The public inquiry into the May 2017 attack concluded that two of the 22 victims could have survived if the onsite paramedics had responded faster. The chairman of the inquiry, Sir John Saunders, stated that the emergency services response was "far below the standard it should have been".

The 916-page report also concluded that a senior ambulance officers approach to the attack was "unduly cautious." Meaning many of the wounded and dying were left without treatment for an unnecessarily long time because only 3 paramedics were allowed on the scene.  

Sir John said, "no one really thought it could happen to them." He suggested lessons had not been learnt from the bombings in July 2005 and added, "Significant aspects of the emergency response on May 22, 2017 went wrong. This should not have happened. Some of what went wrong had serious, and in the case of John Atkinson, fatal consequences for those directly affected by the explosion."

Dale Sexton, the duty officer the night of the attack, was implicated for "serious and far – reaching" mistakes. Consequently, he is under investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over allegations that he'd concealed information whilst giving evidence to the inquiry.

In his report, Sir John said Mr Sexton had become overwhelmed by the demands of the role he had undertaken and this had "significant consequences." He further commented, "That failure fundamentally undermined the joint response to the attack." 

Praise was directed to Bethany Crook, an off duty nurse, who attended the concert with her daughter and she aided those injured. Sir John made comment, "the heroism shown by very many people that night is striking. Considerable bravery was shown by members of the public."

E&K Solicitors

Rusholme

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