Manchester attack hero Chris Parker reunited with mother

  • Published
Media caption,

Jessica Parker said she wants to be reunited with her son, Chris, pictured on the right

The estranged mother of a homeless man who helped victims of the Manchester attack has been reunited with her son.

Twenty-two people died in the explosion at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on 22 May.

Chris Parker, 33, said he comforted a seriously-injured eight-year-old girl and a woman who died in his arms.

Jessica Parker, of Sprowston, met her son at the weekend for the first time in five years. She did not know he was homeless until seeing him on TV.

Image caption,

Chris Parker's mother did not realise he was homeless in Manchester until she saw him in television news reports following the Manchester bombing

Speaking about their meeting, Ms Parker said: "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'.

"He's going to be alright, I know he is."

Media caption,

The bombing took place as large crowds left the arena

Mr Parker had been begging in the arena foyer when the bomb went off.

He comforted a seriously injured little girl and helped a woman in her 60s who was badly hurt.

He told the media last Tuesday: "She passed away in my arms. I haven't stopped crying."

A fundraising page set up to help Mr Parker has raised more than £50,000.

Ms Parker plans to visit her son again this weekend.