The terrorist attack outside a concert in Manchester on Monday brought plenty of concern for metro residents with ties to England.
Christine Tipping, who has lived in the metro area for the last 25 years, grew up in Liverpool and has spent time in Manchester before.
The two cities are just over a 30-minute drive from each other, which led to worry for Tipping with the attack happening outside a popular event.
“As soon as I heard Manchester Arena, I just said, 'What!’” she explained. “It stopped me in my tracks."
After hearing about the bombing, Tipping immediately called home and checked on her loved ones.
“I called England right away,” she explained. “I spoke to family members. They were okay, which was a Godsend. You never know what could have happened. People were probably there picking people up and waiting for them. It wasn't just the people at the arena."
While her family was safe, Tipping mourned the loss of more than 20 people who died in the attack.
“It's like what happened on 9/11,” she said. “You were terrified that you knew somebody.”
On Tuesday, Tipping told 41 Action News that she was shocked that Manchester was targeted for violence.
“It's awful. It's upsetting,” she explained. “It's not what you want in your city. If it happened here, you'd be outraged."
Tipping plans to return home to Liverpool to see family in about two weeks.
However, her trip has her landing at Manchester Airport.
While Tipping is concerned about being in the city following the attack, she said she wouldn’t let fear keep her away.
“I've been flying for years but I'm nervous to go,” she told 41 Action News. “It's going to be difficult and I'm going to go lay flowers at the arena."
