TMZ is reporting that Ariana Grande‘s mother Joan heroically helped escort panicked young fans backstage and out of harm’s way during the melee at the Manchester Arena. She had apparently been sitting in the front row, waiting to go backstage to see her daughter, when the bomb went off.

As the chaos of people fleeing for exits started … Joan told a group of kids — possibly as many as 10 — seated around her to come backstage. We’re told she and members of Ariana’s security took the fans backstage and waited with them until they were able to safely exit the arena.

Ariana has been understandably distraught since the attack, and is unsure whether she will continue her tour.