Advertisement

Taxi driver describes community spirit in Manchester following attack

In a world where terror attacks are more frequent than ever before, the events of Monday evening'...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.46 23 May 2017


Share this article


Taxi driver describes communit...

Taxi driver describes community spirit in Manchester following attack

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.46 23 May 2017


Share this article


In a world where terror attacks are more frequent than ever before, the events of Monday evening's attack in Manchester was particularly grotesque. Emergency services worked to respond to those in need, as too did the people of Manchester. 

Taxi driver AJ Singh changed the sign on top of his car from 'Taxi' to 'Free taxi if needed', and drove into Manchester. He helped move people from the arena in the direct aftermath of the attack. He spoke to Sean Moncrieff this afternoon and told how he was in bed when he first heard about the bombing. 

"I was in bed and heard the news from another taxi driver. He had called me to see if I was ok. The minute I heard what happened, I jumped out of the house and got straight to Manchester city centre. People didn't have money, they didn't know how to get to the hospital. Manchester was in chaos", said Singh. 

Advertisement

Taxi driver describes community spirit in Manchester following attack

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

The attack, which took the lives of 22 people, occurred in the foyer of the Manchester Arena. For those unfamiliar with the arena, Singh described how that foyer connects to Victoria train station, thus adding to the chaos. 

"Buses had stopped, taxi drivers didn't want to go into Manchester because they thought there was going to be another attack and people didn't have money on them."

Singh ferried concert goers to hospitals and to their homes. He recounted the kindness of one woman. 

"One lady opened the doors of her home to members of the public, simply because she didn't want children on the streets. People who were staying in hotels were offering to accommodate others."

An audibly shaken Singh described the horror he witnessed as he helped those in need. 

"I'm sorry that I'm panicking a bit. I'm still coming to terms with stuff."

"People had nails stuck into them and debris. As I'm speaking to you, I'm shaking. Some of them were wounded. Some of them were bleeding. Some of them just needed help. There just wasn't enough ambulances. Some people had sprained ankles, another person had their arm blown off."

As he spoke to Moncrieff, Singh reported sightings of families walking around, looking for loves. 

"We have parents wandering around looking for their children. I have sent a message out to all 300 drivers. We have gone out to get food, chocolate and drinks to distribute them to the emergency services and those looking for their families."

The Islamic State group has said one of its members carried out the attack. 

 


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular