The parents of a Northern Irish teenager injured in the Manchester Arndale attack during a 'girly trip' to the city have spoken of their ordeal.
Chloe McGurk, 19, was knifed during the incident at the shopping centre on Friday (October 11).
Chloe travelled to Manchester from Glenmorley, County Antrim, with pals before the horror unfolded.
In a statement issued to UTV on Monday, Chloe’s family confirmed she was 'recovering in hospital with her family at her side'.
They added that while Chloe was 'strong and resilient', for her to be injured in such awful circumstances was 'every parent’s nightmare'.
The statement read: “We wish to pay tribute to her friends who not only witnessed the incident, but who stayed with our daughter throughout.
“We want to thank the emergency services at the scene, and all the hospital staff who continue to look after Chloe."
The family asked to privacy, adding: “We will be not be making any further comment as our focus is on supporting Chloe and returning home over the coming days.”
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Greater Manchester Police said the teenager was recovering in hospital earlier on Monday.
Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
She was one of four people treated for knife wounds on Friday. Another person received minor injuries.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of terrorism before being detained under the Mental Health Act.
A woman, believed to be Chloe's friend, posted on Facebook on Friday: "All we wanted to do was come over to Manchester for a girly weekend but instead the first shopping centre we step into this happens.
"We’re all so shook and can’t for the life of us understand how someone could be so low to do this.
“I can’t get that man’s face and knife out of my head and probably won’t for a very long time.”
The young woman said her pal is “on the mend” and she “thanks everyone for her support”.
She added: “We haven’t left her side and we should hopefully be home within the next few days after interviewing etc for everyone asking."
A 59-year-old man, a 49-year-old woman and a 33-year-old woman also suffered from knife wounds.
Another 43-year-old woman was physically involved in the incident, but did not appear to have any visible injuries.
GMP praised a member of the public and Arndale worker who tried to stop the knifeman.
Officers have also searched a house at an undisclosed location in Manchester where the suspected attacker previously lived.
The investigation is now being led by counter terrorism police.
