Hero taxi driver gave Liverpool mayor’s daughters free ride home when they were stranded after Manchester terror attack
A hero taxi driver rushed towards danger to rescue the two daughters of Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram after they were caught up in the Manchester attack.
The samaritan drove more than 30 miles before abandoning his car and going on foot to collect Haylie, 21, and Samantha, 19, who were among thousands of youngsters attending Monday night’s Ariana Grande gig.
Mr Rotheram, who was elected Liverpool mayor last month, said he felt “sick” knowing that other parents had lost their children.
He said: “It's a parent’s worst nightmare. So, so sad."
The taxi driver - who worked for Liverpool firm Alpha - was one of many from Liverpool who travelled to their neighbouring city to offer stranded concert goers free lifts home.
Hotels threw open their doors to offer shelter to unaccompanied children, while supermarkets handed out free food.
Mr Rotheram, who was meeting the American Ambassador at the time of the attack, described the “nightmare” moment his wife rang to tell him their daughters had been caught up in the attack.
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The former Labour MP said: “The first thing she said was don’t panic and I just froze - but then she said the girls were safe.
“You think about other tragedies and imagine getting that phone call - it is terrible to think of parents getting those calls today.”
He added: “I was screaming that I wanted to go to them - but I had to think about clogging up the roads and making things harder for the emergency services.”
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The taxi he had ordered was already on its way, but roadblocks prevented him from getting anywhere near Manchester Arena.
He walked into the centre and met the two girls - who were hiding in a hotel close to where the attack took place - before driving them back home to Liverpool.
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