Chris Parker: Homeless man who saved Manchester attack victims reunited with his mother
Jessica Parker saw estranged son on TV news when he was interviewed about heroic efforts to help injured Ariana Grande fans fleeing arena
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A rough sleeper who came to the aid of the Manchester Arena bombing victims has been reunited with his estranged mother - after she spotted him in news reports of the attack.
Chris Parker, 33, was in the foyer area of the venue when the device went off as music fans left the Ariana Grande concert last Monday.
Jessica Parker, of Sprowston, Norfolk, saw her son for the first time in five years on Friday.
She told the BBC: “It was heart wrenching, absolutely heart wrenching to know that he actually still wanted his mum.
“He told me very matter-of-factly what he did and said, 'Mum, I've just done what anybody else would do'.
“I said, 'I don't think so Chris, I think you did something really wonderful and you need to remember that'.”
Mr Parker regularly went to beg at the Arena as concert crowds head home and recalled hearing a bang and seeing a white flash as the bomb went off.
Speaking last week, he said: “It knocked me to the floor and then I got up and instead of running away, my gut instinct was to run back and try and help.
“There was people lying on the floor everywhere.
“I saw a little girl... she had no legs. I wrapped her in one of the merchandise T-shirts and I said 'Where is your mum and daddy?' She said, 'My dad is at work, my mum is up there'.”
He also tended to a woman who was badly hurt from the bombing with serious leg and head injuries.
He said: “She passed away in my arms. I haven't stopped crying.”
Copyright Press Association
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments