In times of need, gestures like this make all the difference.
While emergency services rushed to offer assistance to the those affected by the horrific incident which took place at the Manchester Arena on Monday evening, taxi drivers also played their part in helping concert-goers escape the scene safely.
At least 22 people lost their lives in a suspected terror attack following an Ariana Grande concert, with a further 59 injured according to the latest update from Manchester police.
Just after 10.30pm on Monday night, police responded to reports of an explosion at the arena.
The city showed its strength in unity as the hashtag #RoomsForManchester was used by generous members of the public to offer shelter to those in need.
And, on Tuesday morning, the contribution of the taxi drivers in the city and from cities nearby, was praised with several working through the night and offering free rides to assist those who had no way to get home.
Taxi drivers, hotel workers and the emergency services have worked through the night to help those caught up in the Manchester attack pic.twitter.com/tElF2ekm41
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) May 23, 2017
The two daughters of Liverpool city mayor, Steve Rotheram, were at the Manchester Arena and they arrived home safe and sound thanks to one driver’s perseverance.
Thank you to the Alpha taxi driver who percivered and eventually got through the traffic to pick up my 2 girls from the Manchester Arena.
— Steve Rotheram (@MetroMayorSteve) May 22, 2017
The above was just one instance of the persistence of taxi drivers to do whatever they could to help out but social media has been inundated in the hours since the attack with examples of thanks being given to the brave and kind-hearted drivers who played their part.
Colin Paterson, BBC arts and entertainment correspondent, revealed the generosity of certain taxi drivers travelling all the way from Liverpool to provide assistance.
“As I was there, taxis were asking people ‘would you like a lift anywhere’,” he told BBC News.
“There are stories of cab drivers coming from Liverpool offering people lifts.”
https://twitter.com/Jeggit/status/866904396541702144
So proud to be able to call these fellas my friends #Blackcabs #Manchester pic.twitter.com/wXs874BNx5
— Sean Kenny (@spkenny67) May 22, 2017
also thank you to the taxi drivers who are offering free rides
— marcella 🍉 (@_marcekz) May 22, 2017
Thank you to all the taxi drivers who have helped people to get home free and to those who werent working and have gone to help
— jenni quinn (@eragonone) May 22, 2017
Taxi drivers from all over manchester wigan liverpool etc heading towards city centre to take people home for free. Amazing thank you
— Lee McCluskey (@LeeMccluskey) May 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/RyanLUFC92/status/866824364985024513
Finally, want to say how well #Manchester Arena's staff handled the situation. And thank public/taxi drivers for offering free rides etc
— alicia ali (@Ali_Alicia5) May 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/bypriyashah/status/866830863912361984
I want to thank the emergency people the taxi driver and anyone in Manchester willing to help. It shows there is still kindness in people.
— Monika (🩷💜💙 bi buck canon) (@BuckleyDiazgrl3) May 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/hippocastanum/status/866840660149665792
Together Manchester WILL SURVIVE . Thank you to the Taxi drivers that took people home Respect .
— colin gentle (@golfhandicap) May 23, 2017
Thank you Emergency services, taxi drivers and shop owners who were working all night #ManchersterArena #arena
— Syed Ajmal Kazmi (@SyedAjmalKazmi) May 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/TristanGreene1/status/866915682495213569
https://twitter.com/croftwinterfell/status/866920387560517633
