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'THEY WERE LIKE BITS OF FIRE'

Mum and daughter caught in Manchester bombing show horror injuries caused by flying shrapnel after ‘nail bomb’ suicide attack at Ariana Grande concert

A MUM and her daughter revealed how she and her 12-year-old daughter fled in terror as shrapnel "like bits of fire" tore through their skin in last night's Ariana Grande terror attack.

Teaching assistant Lizzie Murtagh, 32, had taken daughter Olivia to see the US pop star at the Manchester Arena as a Christmas present.

 Blood pours from one of Olivias wounds after the bomb attack last night
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Blood pours from one of Olivias wounds after the bomb attack last nightCredit: Medavia
 Another picture shows a deep gash across one of Lizzie's legs
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Another picture shows a deep gash across one of Lizzie's legsCredit: Medavia
 Teaching assistant Lizzie Murtagh, right, took her daughter Olivia, left, to watch the show as a Christmas present
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Teaching assistant Lizzie Murtagh, right, took her daughter Olivia, left, to watch the show as a Christmas presentCredit: Medavia

But their night turned to horror when a "nail bomb" tore through crowds after the gig, killing 22, seriously wounding 59 and injuring another 60.

Lizzie, from Beswick, Gtr Manchester, said: “I didn't even feel getting hit with shrapnel. I screamed and grabbed my daughter, who is only 12, I just told her to run.

"People were bleeding in front of me and on the floor or falling to the floor.

"I just ran as fast as I could, dragging Olivia down the stairs.

"I found a taxi parked up so I was banging on the window screaming for him to let us in, and we let three other girls share our taxi as they were terrified too.

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 Olivia in hospital with her horror injuries after the gig last night
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Olivia in hospital with her horror injuries after the gig last nightCredit: Medavia
 Pieces of shrapnel from the suicide bomb tore through Lizzies jeans into her leg and bottom
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Pieces of shrapnel from the suicide bomb tore through Lizzies jeans into her leg and bottomCredit: Medavia
 Lizzie's blood-soaked jeans after the bomb attack last night
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Lizzie's blood-soaked jeans after the bomb attack last nightCredit: Medavia

"That's when we noticed our injuries - I was hit on my leg and bottom, my daughter on her back and bottom."

Graphic pictures show how shrapnel from the improvised bomb ripped straight through the pair's clothes and into their bodies.

The bomber lay in wait to attack fans as they made their way towards Manchester's Victoria train station after the gig.

 The blast detonated in the box office as thousands of pop fans left the concert, many going to Victoria station
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The blast detonated in the box office as thousands of pop fans left the concert, many going to Victoria stationCredit: Supplied

Lizzie described how she and Olivia walked through the doors into the foyer where parents were waiting to pick their kids up after the gig when the bomb exploded.

She said: "There was a huge bang, a big flash and I saw something I can only explain of bits of fire.

"We're so lucky to walk away with cuts and bruises.

"We had to go to A&E, it was awful, like something out of a film.

"Olivia is still in shock and very sore.”