STUDENT Alice Gravenor told last night how she had a miracle escape after being caught up in the Glasgow Airport car bomb attack.The 16-year-old had been sitting right next to the main door where the blazing 4x4 careered into the terminal just minutes before.

STUDENT Alice Gravenor told last night how she had a miracle escape after being caught up in the Glasgow Airport car bomb attack.

The 16-year-old had been sitting right next to the main door where the blazing 4x4 careered into the terminal just minutes before.

Alice, of Harwich, had flown into the Scottish airport more than four hours earlier and was waiting to be picked up to go on an outdoor activity course in the Highlands.

She said: “I had been waiting there with my friend since about 10.30am when we arrived from Stansted.

“We had been milling around the airport for hours while we waited for our lift.

“In the afternoon we went and sat right by the main terminal entrance just for a change of scenery.

“We stayed there until just before 3pm on Saturday when we moved across to our rendezvous point near the tourist information centre.

“It is really scary to think what might have happened if we had still been sitting there when they drove into the airport.”

Alice said she was about 200 metres away when the terrorists struck on Saturday afternoon.

“We were just sitting with our suitcases when all of a sudden we heard loads of screaming and shouting.

“All hell broke loose. Hundreds of people started running past us in panic and we didn't have a clue what was going on.

“At first I thought people were over-reacting to something because of what had happened in London. Then the alarms started going off in the airport so we just grabbed our suitcases and ran towards the exit.

“We kept on running through all the bus shelters. We just wanted to get as far away as possible.

“People were sobbing and crying and screaming. It was really horrible and utterly terrifying.

“As we ran away there was a huge explosion and when I turned round I could see plumes of black smoke.

“It was frighteningly loud. The earth shook and it was like something out of a film.

“Everything went crazy. There were police and fire engines everywhere. I couldn't believe what was happening.

“Most of us went towards an underground car park because it was further away but police officers came running up shouting 'Get away from the cars'.”

Alice added: “One of the boys who was also being collected for the course telephoned the organisers to tell them what had happened.

“They arranged for the bus to pick us up further away from the terminal. We had to walk quite a long way but I was so relieved to get on that bus and as far away from the airport as possible.

“I am still in shock about it. I can't believe what happened.”

Alice has just left Manningtree High School after completing her GCSEs and is about to start Colchester Sixth Form College.

Her videographer mum Sally, 39, said: “We are just so relieved she is ok and safely in the Highlands.

“My blood ran cold when I heard what had happened at the airport even though Alice had called us straightaway to let us know she was safe.

“It is every parent's nightmare for their children to be caught up in something like this.

“We are so proud of Alice because she has coped so well with an horrendous situation.”