Inquests opened into terror attack deaths

VICTIMS . . . Friends Lisa Lees (left) and Alison Howe

THE causes of death of two Royton mums who died in the Manchester Arena terror attack have been revealed as inquests were opened for all 22 of those killed in the suicide bombing.

The hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre on Friday was told that Lisa Lees (43), a beauty therapist and hair and beauty tutor at Oldham College, died from multiple injuries while her friend Alison Howe (45), a sexual health nurse, died of head injuries.

The pair were killed in the horrific attack by suicide bomber Salman Abedi on May 22 as they waited for their teenage daughters, India and Darcy, in the foyer of the arena following an Ariana Grande concert.

A minute's silence was held at the start of the inquests for the victims, the bereaved and the injured plus those affected by the London Bridge atrocity.

The inquests were opened and adjourned by senior coroner for Manchester Nigel Meadows until November 24 for pre-inquest review hearings.

They lasted just under an hour and none of the victims' families were in court.

The hearing was shown a photograph of each of the victims, who were aged between eight and 51, and told of their injuries as their individual inquests were opened.

Those who died of multiple injuries were student Liam Allen-Curry (19), student Courtney Boyle (19), PR accounts manager Martyn Hett (29), Megan Hurley (15), Nell Jones (14), shop assistant Angelika Klis (39), Eilidh MacLeod (14), Saffie Roussos (8), student Chloe Rutherford (17), plumber Philip Tron (32) and Jane Tweddle (51) a school receptionist.

The cause of death for John Atkinson (28), a support worker for people with special needs, was given as leg injuries and ischemic heart disease.

Claims assessor Kelly Brewster (32) died of head and abdominal injuries.

Student Georgina Callander (18), nursery worker Wendy Fawell (50) and company secretary Michelle Kiss (45) died of head injuries.

Olivia Campbell-Hardy (15) died of head and neck injuries and Sorrell Leczkowski (14) died from neck injuries.

Police officer Elaine McIver (43) and taxi driver Marcin Marek Klis (42) died of chest injuries.

A map of where 19 of those killed in the foyer were was also shown to the hearing. The court heard a further three - John Atkinson, Georgina Callander and Saffie Roussos - died later in hospital.

Some of those who died were standing very close to the bomber, with others as far as 20m (66ft) away.

The coroner took time to note the "dignity and strength of spirit" shown by the families and he praised the senior police officers in charge of identifying victims, Det Supt Jonathan Chadwick and Det Ch Insp Terry Crompton, for their "simple humanity". He said bereaved families knew they "really cared".