In a chilling recollection of the 2017 Manchester Arena atrocity, a local family has revealed how they initially dismissed the explosive sound as nothing more than malfunctioning speakers during Ariana Grande's concert.
The Davies family, attending what should have been a celebratory evening, found themselves at the heart of one of Britain's deadliest terrorist incidents, with their minds initially rejecting the possibility of an attack.
The Night Terror Struck Manchester
"We genuinely thought it was just the speakers blowing," recalled Kelly Davies, who attended the concert with her husband and their 12-year-old daughter. "There was this enormous bang, but in that moment, your brain tries to make sense of it in the most normal way possible."
The family had been enjoying the performance from seats directly opposite the foyer area where suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated his device, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds more.
From Confusion to Chaos
What followed the initial explosion was a rapid descent from confusion into sheer terror.
"The smoke started billowing out," Davies continued. "Then we saw people running, screaming. That's when the reality hit us - this was no technical fault."
The family described the ensuing panic as concertgoers scrambled for exits, with many believing there might be multiple attackers throughout the arena.
A City's Resilience Tested
The May 22, 2017 attack targeted young concertgoers and their families, striking at the heart of Manchester's community. The incident prompted an unprecedented emergency response and left the city in mourning.
In the aftermath, Manchester demonstrated remarkable resilience, with the now-iconic "Bee" symbol representing the city's unity and strength in facing adversity.
Living With the Aftermath
Five years on, the psychological scars remain for many survivors and the broader Manchester community.
"You don't just walk away from something like that unchanged," Davies admitted. "Every loud noise, every crowded space - it takes you right back to that moment."
The family's story emerges as Manchester continues to heal and rebuild, with permanent memorials planned to honour those lost in the tragedy.
The Manchester Arena bombing remains a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public spaces and the enduring impact of terrorism on communities and survivors alike.
