Manchester Arena inquiry hears more tributes from victims' families

It was an emotional day as more families shared memories of the 22 people who were killed at the Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

Author: Tom DambachPublished 17th Sep 2020
Last updated 17th Sep 2020

Liam Curry (19) and Chloe Rutherford (17), South Shields

Two teenagers murdered in the Manchester Arena bombing had their "love story'' told at the public inquiry into the attack.

Inseparable Liam Curry, 19, and Chloe Rutherford, 17, both from South Shields, were two "beautiful young people'' who had already mapped out their lives together, the inquiry in Manchester heard.

"They wanted to be together forever and now they are,'' Liam's mum told the hearing.

Caroline Curry and Mark Rutherford, Chloe's father, took turns to tell their children's stories.

Chloe's mother, Lisa, sat between them, her head often resting in her hands.

Tragically Liam's dad, Andrew, passed away just two months before the Arena bombing after a long illness, Chloe at his side to support him as Mr Curry comforted his mother and brother.

Mrs Curry said: "Only eight weeks after the passing of his dad, evil ripped out our family's heart and stole my baby boy.

"I'm in terrible pain that has no ending.''

"Two beautiful young people with so much love in their hearts and hope for their life together.

"The greatest thing we ever learn in life is just to love and be loved in return.''

18 year old Georgina Callander, Chorley

Georgina Callander's dad, Simon, told the Manchester Arena inquiry that he hopes the bomber "rots in the deepest, darkest part of hell".

Simon said "evil'' Salman Abedi had "snatched away'' the potential of his daughter Georgina, 18, who "gave so much love and had so much more to give''.

He tearfully told the public inquiry into the attack that Georgina drove to the Ariana Grande concert on May 22 2017 in her first car after completing her exams.

In an emotional video tribute he outlined her life from the day she was born, April 1 1999, to the fateful day when Abedi killed her and 21 others by detonating a bomb at the end of the concert.

"Every day I hear that laugh, it's like she is still here.

"To this day I stand in the window looking for her ... walking back down the road after school.

"Sometimes other school kids remind me of her for a second but no, that's not my Georgina.''

"Sometimes I can hear her when the house is quiet.

"I find myself talking to her and chuckle to myself but then sadness takes over.

"Sadness always wins the battle with happy memories."

32 year old Philip Tron, Gateshead

Manchester Arena bombing victim Philip Tron has been described as a "bonny Geordie lad'' at the public inquiry into the terror attack.

He had agreed to drive from his home in Gateshead with girlfriend Deborah Boyle and her daughters, Courtney, 19, and her younger sister, Nicole, who was attending the Ariana Grande concert.

Mr Tron accompanied Courtney as they went to collect Nicole from the foyer of the arena after the event, when Abedi detonated his homemade backpack bomb.

Philip's uncle, Ken Mullen accompanied his mother, June, at the inquiry in Manchester.

As the tribute ended a photo montage was played in the hearing room.

It showed pictures of Mr Tron and images of hundreds of mourners attending his funeral, with crowds also at a memorial event at the Angel of the North statue.

Ken said his nephew would be missed by all who knew him but "Heaven has a new Geordie ambassador''.