Yahoo News 'Children are all over the place crying. They've lost a sister not a classmate' - Tributes for Nell Jones, 14
Fourteen-year-old Nell Jones has been confirmed as one of the 22 victims of the Manchester terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert.
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, told Express.co.uk that police have confirmed their pupil was one of 22 to die in Manchester Arena on Monday night.
Headteacher Dennis Oliver, told Express.co.uk: “It has now been announced in the school that Nell has unfortunately died.
“I have just done six assemblies to tell the pupils. Children are all over the place crying. We are all devastated.
“The heart wrenches for me and everyone else.”
According to family members, the schoolgirl was at the Ariana Grande concert on crutches after a previous ligament injury.
Nell’s form tutor David Wheeler told the Knutsford Guardian: “Nell was a very popular girl, always smiling, always positive. Her tutor group have been together since the transition from primary school. It feels like they have lost a sister not a classmate”
Members of her family rushed to Manchester to look for her.
She was a Knutsford young farmer, attending the concert with a close friend who was treated in hospital as she found out her companion was missing.
Freya Lewis was injured but according to her father is on the mend.
She was pulled from the arena by Phil and Kim Dick, a couple from Bradford, after she ‘staggered’ and ‘collapsed’ into their arms.
Explosion rocks Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in pictures
Freya’s dad Nick Lewis said: “Our situation is impossible to describe, but the amazing support that everyone has shown us has been breathtaking.
“After ten and a half hours in surgery she is stable. The staff at the hospital have been incredible.
“Freya has been sewn, bolted, drilled and bandaged back together. It is going to be a long climb but we are on the first step. We really know how much you all care.
“Our priority now is to concentrate on our children and to make sense of what has happened. We have some very personal conversations to have with people we had ever met until what seems just a few hours ago and thank you feels so inadequate.
“We are working closely with the Freya’s school and are therefore asking for everyone to please respect our privacy as a family.”
Her cousin, Hollie Webb, wrote on Tuesday night that they were still around the stadium searching for her.
She bravely said that the family is OK, writing: "The police have been brilliant, they have taken all the information Nell's family can give and hope that they can identify her. Some ppl are injured and unnamed so we won't lose hope.
"We're ok thank you very much (you know normally I'd say something very sarcastic and funny tho)".
Ms Jones, who attends Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School. has not been heard from since the concert.
A post on Knutsford Young Farmers' Facebook page said: "One of our members and close friend Nell Jones was at the concert last night and sadly is still missing.
"If anyone hears from Nell please let someone know! #PrayForNell.
"Please share!"
Key articles | Manchester Arena explosion
