Heroic Kelly Brewster died saving 11-year-old niece's life in Manchester attack, friend reveals

Kelly Brewster died saving her 11-year-old niece's life by shielding her as the Manchester bomb was detonated, one of her friends has confirmed.

Vicky Smith said Miss Brewster, 32, from Sheffield, was at the arena with her sister Claire Booth and niece Hollie, 11.

Ms Smith told ITV Calendar News that her friend threw herself over Hollie and her mother.

She said: "When the explosion went off, Kelly sort of fell, chucked herself almost over both her sister and her niece.

"Whether that was just natural instinct, either way that's the protection that she gave to them."

Asked whether that meant she saved Hollie's life, Ms Smith said: "Yes."

Other family members have hailed her a hero on social media.

Miss Brewster's partner Ian Winslow confirmed she had died on Facebook.

He said: "Not sure how this works but it isn't good news. Kelly Brewster wasn't one of the unidentified hospital patients. She has sadly passed away in the terror attack yesterday.