Woman injured in Manchester terror blast saved her own life using handbag strap as a torniquet
Josie Howarth was struck by shrapnel just millimetres from a main artery
A WOMAN who was injured in the Manchester terror blast saved her own life by using a handbag strap as a torniquet.
Josie Howarth was struck by shrapnel just millimetres from a main artery after suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a nail bomb killing 22 and injuring 64.
Knowing she was severely injured Josie broke her handbag strap and wrapped it around her bleeding leg until paramedics could reach her, reports.
Josie, 50, was waiting for her nieces in the foyer of the arena with sister Janet, also believed to be in her 50s, at the time of the blast.
Both remain in hospital with serious injuries.
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Family friend Sophie Wright, 21, who works at a donkey sanctuary run by the family a few miles from Pontefract, told : “Josie and Janet were incredibly lucky.
"Shrapnel hit Josie just a millimetre from a major artery in her leg and a piece just missed Janet's lung, but she was hit in the collarbone.
“Apparently Josie was able to stem the bleeding by breaking her handbag and using the strap."
Concert-goers Jenny and Jodie, 19 and 13 respectively, had run from the arena in panic at the time of the explosion and were not reunited with parents for four hours having taken shelter at a nearby hotel.
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Sophie said both Josie and Janet have undergone major surgery adding: "They are such a lovely family who would do anything for anyone."
She is now raising funds to allow the family to take time off from the Wonkey Donkey Visitors Centre without worrying for the welfare of the rescue animals.
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