A mum said she was left a prisoner in her own home after suffering "catastrophic injuries".
Joanne McSorley, from Runcorn, was left in a critical condition with catastrophic injuries to her left side and numerous shrapnel injuries all over her body following the Manchester Arena bombing. The 49-year-old was waiting with her mum Susan for her daughters Ellie and Libby, aged 16 and 11 at the time, to come out of the Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
It was then Salman Abedi detonated his device, killing 22 and leaving hundreds more injured.
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Joanne said: “I can remember opening my eyes and seeing my left arm in a real mess, it was pretty much hanging off. Then I looked up and saw my mum who, fortunately, had not been seriously injured.
"I tried to get up and realised my leg was broken, and that I was heavily bleeding from my stomach area. I remember thinking I was going to die and telling my mum to go and find the girls and to tell them that I loved them.”
Joanne was then separated from her mum and remained in the City Room area for around an hour-and-a-half until she was carried to a holding area on a makeshift stretcher. She wasn’t taken to hospital until around 2.20am – almost four hours after the blast.
Her daughters had made their way back to the family car in the arena car park, and were taken to a safe location, where they were met by their father, who by then had spoken to Susan. They knew Joanne had been injured, but not how badly until the following day when visiting her in hospital.
She added: “It was awful. I had a feeling I’d never see my family again. There were a few times that night I thought I was going to die. Ellie had left me a heartbreaking answerphone message. It was horrific."
This week, the third and final report of the public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing by public inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders found there was "a significant missed opportunity to take action" on the part of MI5 that might have prevented the atrocity. The findings were published this earlier this week.
Joanne claims she has been denied the chance to fully rebuild her life, as still to this day no organisation has stepped forward to offer appropriate financial help. She has, only recently, been offered compensation through the Government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), which is responsible for making awards to victims of crime and terror attacks, but describes the offer as "insulting".
Now, her legal team at Hudgell Solicitors has said that, following the conclusion of the Inquiry, civil claims for compensation, on behalf of Joanne and more than 150 others injured in the attack, will be commenced against defendants before the end of the year.
Former teaching assistant Joanne had worked at the same primary school for 26 years before the bombing, but was left unable to work due to her injuries and has had to live off her pension since, as well as claiming benefits for the first time in her life.
She is now pinning her hopes on civil action being successful, as quickly as possible, to give her "some of the old Joanne back". Joanne added she has now been left "a very different person" to what she was before.
She added: “I’m now left a very different person to that I was before. I was a busy working mum, always on the go with a full and hectic life, from looking after the family to going out and having a good time. We have little of that now. I’m a prisoner in my own home.
“I’ve been left disabled. The entire left side of my body was so badly damaged that it will always impact on me, I can’t stretch my arm out fully. I have radial nerve damage, pins throughout my body and suffer from chronic pain.
“I use a stick to walk and if it’s any sort of distance I need to use a wheelchair. All this has made my house completely unsuitable as there are steps outside, no toilet downstairs and it’s also quote small, so difficult for me to get around.
“I had hoped that I’d have some significant compensation from the Government by now to cover the cost of finding a new place to live, but the offer from the CICA has not been enough to be able to do that, and no other organisation which let us all down that night has held their hand out to offer help.
“I’ll never be the same person again, but I want to be helped to live in the best possible comfort, as that will help me get a bit of the old Joanne back.”
Solicitor Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, which represents two families who lost loved ones and more than 150 injured survivors, said: “Joanne’s situation is similar to many others who were seriously injured at the Manchester Arena bombing, as other than through the CICA, civil claims for compensation have unfortunately had to await the outcome of investigations and this Public Inquiry.
“There have been organisations exposed for catastrophic failures in their duties and responsibilities to protect everybody who was injured, yet in close to six years since that attack happened, not one has stepped forward with an offer to make things right for those who have suffered so immeasurably.
“Every day we speak to families who lost loved ones, and to the people who were left so badly injured, both physically and psychologically, by what happened. It is a lifelong impact for them and we’ve had to partner with others willing to offer services and support out of their own pockets.
“These people now need to be fully compensated for the unimaginable suffering they’ve endured, and that means much more than financially, ensuring the very best result is achieved for each and every individual from a social and wellbeing perspective, securing them the vital rehabilitation and support they need to help them towards a better future. “
The ECHO approached the Home Office and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for comment.
GMP had not responded at time of writing but following the publication of the second volume of public inquiry findings last year, Chief Constable Steve Watson said “poor communications, poor planning, inadequate training, and shortcomings in strategic leadership” has all contributed to the “inadequate” response.
The Home Office issued statements from Home Secretary Suelle Braverman and security minister Tom Tugenhadt.
Mrs Braverman said: “Today is a difficult day.
“On 22 May 2017, an act of pure evil took the lives of 22 people at Manchester Arena.
“My thoughts are with their loved ones and all those who had their lives changed forever.
“Over the past three years, the Manchester Arena Inquiry has carefully analysed critical evidence to ensure vital lessons are learned.
“I am grateful to Sir John Saunders and his team for their thorough and considered approach.
“I am committed to working with MI5, policing and partners to study the recommendations.
“Together we will do everything possible to prevent a repeat of this horrifying attack.”
Mr Tugenhadt said: “Today we remember the 22 people who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena attack.
“Our thoughts are with their families, and all those whose lives were changed forever as a result of this appalling act of terror.
“The Government, our security services and emergency services are wholly committed to learning the lessons of this unspeakable tragedy.
“We will do everything in our power to continue strengthening our country’s defences, and to keep the British people safe.
“I’m immensely grateful to all those who contributed their expertise, knowledge and experiences to the inquiry, and to Sir John Saunders and his team for their thorough and meticulous work throughout the inquiry.”
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