A SCAFFOLDER from Wirral is fighting for his life after being caught up in the terror attack on Monday night.

Phil Hassall, originally from Runcorn, was at the Manchester Arena when a suicide bomber detonated an explosion, killing 22 and injuring 120 as concert goers were leaving the Ariana Grande gig.

The former pupil of St Chad's Catholic and CE High School was at the concert with his daughter Amber, his partner Rachel Hughes and her daughter.

He was critically injured in the blast and has undergone numerous operations, including brain surgery, and has only just come out of a coma.

Close friend Ian Bland, 32, from the old town said he was 'absolutely devastated' when he heard his friend was one of the victims.

He said: "He's had brain surgery, they've opened his leg up and removed shrapnel from both.

"He's been in a coma but they snapped him out of it.

"He's come around but the family said he’s touch and go.

"He needs two more operations on his brain, one within the next couple of days".

Dad-of-one Ian set up a justgiving page on Tuesday night to help his friend. In just two days, almost £5,000 has been raised.

A construction charity has pledged £1,500.

"The family are absolutely made up", said scaffolder Ian who worked with Phil.

"The response has been amazing. We have received lovely messages from people who don’t even know him.

"I've been close to Phil for 10 years.

"He would do the same for me. We are scaffolders we always stick together.

"It's going to be a long recovery process.

"I just want to raise as much as I can to support him and his family.

"He's going to be out of work for six to 12 months at least".

Phil's brother Darren Maddock posted on social media: "What happened in Manchester is hard enough but when my brother is one of the people who has potentially life threatening injuries because of this incident is the worst thing I have ever been through.

"You never think this would happen to you or your family.

"I am utterly heartbroken, these terrorists need to pay for what they are doing".

Phil, who used to live in Halton Road and the old town, recently moved to Wirral to be with his partner.

He works for Altrad NSG, who are sub-contracted to Tata chemicals in Northwich.

Ian added: "He would do absolutely anything for anyone.

"There is not a bad bone in his body.

"He is a massive Everton fan".

Ian said Phil had taken his family to the gig as a treat.

"The fact that this concert was for kids and young people makes this attack all the more terrible", he added.

“It’s absolutely disgusting what has happened.”

To donate visit http://bit.ly/2qSsfW2.