A SURVIVOR of 7/7 was found dead hours after the Manchester Arena attack — amid fears he took his own life.

Haunted Tony Walters, 52, was discovered at his home after failing to go to work. A friend said: "He is the 23rd victim of Salman Abedi's suicide bombing."

14 7/7 London attack survivor Tony Walters has been found dead amid suicide fears

Friends believe he killed himself because he was overwhelmed by the horror of yet more innocent lives lost to terrorism.

One said: "He didn’t want to live in a world where these ­terror attacks continue.”

Police found the 52-year-old dead at his home when he failed to turn up to work after suicide bomber Salman Abedi murdered 22 and injured 116 at Manchester Arena.

14 In 2005, Tony was in the same carriage as suicide bomber Mohammad Sidique Khan when he detonated a device on a Tube train Credit: Ferrari Press Agency

On July 7, 2005, Tony was yards from fanatic Mohammad Sidique Khan when he detonated a device on a Tube train after it left Edgware Road station.

Seven people, including Khan, died. Tony was showered with shrapnel but survived.

Friends believe the Manchester bombing, coupled with the Westminster attack in March when four people were killed by Khalid Masood, brought back traumatic memories of 7/7 and Tony could not cope.

14 Tony Walters was injured in the Edgware Road 7/7 blast

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Staff at the London legal firm where he worked were told by a boss on Thursday morning that he had taken his own life.

The friend said: “Everyone is distraught by Tony taking his life.

“After the Westminster attack Tony really struggled.

“He was off work for a few days saying he couldn’t cope with how it brought back the memories of 7/7.

14 Staff at the London legal firm where Tony worked said he was forced to take time off after the Westminster attack in March 2017 Credit: Getty Images

14 The claimed he said he 'couldn’t cope with how it brought back the memories of 7/7' and was withdrawn after returning to work Credit: Fame Flynet

“Eventually he returned to work but seemed so withdrawn and glum. We were worried about him.

“When he didn’t appear at work following the Manchester Arena atrocity, his colleagues began to get worried. He’d not been in a good way and people were concerned at his state of mind.

“We knew it was serious and feared the worst, so contacted the police. Officers made the discovery of Tony at his home.

“Everyone that knew Tony believes he is the 23rd victim of the Manchester Arena attack.

14 When he didn’t appear at work the morning following the Manchester Arena atrocity, his colleagues began to get worried Credit: REUTERS

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK We have launched a Together With Manchester appeal – to raise money for families of the victims of the Arena bomb. News UK, publisher of The Sun, has made a corporate donation of £100,000 to the appeal. Here's how you can show your support.... ONLINE: www.justgiving.com/TogetherWithManchester TEXT: Text TWMC50 and amount to 70070 – eg TWMC50 £5

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14 They claimed the 52-year-old is the 23rd victim of Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi Credit: supplied by Pixel8000

“Suicide bomber Salman Abedi is responsible for Tony taking his life as well as those he killed.”

Tony’s sister-in-law Sheila Walters said: “It’s a tragedy and we’re devastated. Tony was such a lovely man.”

A fellow survivor of the 7/7 attacks has told The Sun of his shock at learning of Tony's death.

Dan Biddle, 38, was on the same carriage when the Edgware station bomb went off, taking both of his legs, his spleen and his left eye.

He said the Manchester bombing also brought back memories of his own struggle with suicidal thoughts.

14 Dan Biddle - a survivor from the 7/7 London bombings - has voiced his sorrow over the death of Tony Walter Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

14 Dan said he almost killed himself after losing both legs, his spleen and his left eye in the 7/7 bombings Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“With Manchester being another suicide bomb it really felt like it was happening again.

“I know it really hit me as well because it was children targeted and at 7/7 inquests it was mentioned Khan may have considered targeting a school.

“Tony wasn’t someone I knew but to hear he could have killed himself because of the events is terrible.

“I reached a point myself where the memories of what happened and the guilt of surviving while others didn't overwhelmed me.

“I felt every situation was tinged with that. I felt the best thing a few years back was to make sure I wasn’t here any more.

“There wasn’t really the support system then and my PTSD happening was very hard. The problem is you have got to ask for help and that is something I didn’t do.

14 Dan said last week's Manchester Arena terror attack brought back painful and traumatic memories Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“I would hate to think anyone would get into the situation I was in and what sounds like the situation Tony was in.

“Anybody who has gone through this, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“I came out the other side. People are going to have to ask for help to do that. I am always happy to speak to people that have gone through this — I have been there, I can help them if they want to talk to me.”

Tony, from Tottenham, told a public inquiry into 7/7 that when Khan detonated the bomb it felt as if he was being “electrocuted from the feet up”.

He said: “When I looked at the damaged area, I could see a large hole in the front of the train."

14 52 innocent people died in the London attacks in July 2005, as well as four perpetrators Credit: Getty Images Europe

“At this time, I was standing and could see that everyone seemed to be injured. One man was lying on the floor. He appeared dead.”

Tony and other survivors were guided towards the rear of the train by the driver after the explosion.

The bomb was one of four detonated by terrorists across London in a co-ordinated attack that killed 52 and injured more than 700.

Tony was found in his flat at 2.10pm on Wednesday — 40 hours after the Manchester bombing.

14 Extremists unleashed a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bomb attacks across the capital targeting public transport during rush hour Credit: PA:Press Association Archive

John Pritchard, his boss at Legal 500, told devastated colleagues of the suspected suicide on Thursday. He said: “It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Tony has ­committed suicide.

“The police attended this morning to tell us that Tony took his life.

“To lose anyone is a cause of ­sadness but to lose someone who worked here for 17 years is particularly hard.

14 As well as the dead, 784 people sustained injuries in the attack Credit: AP:Associated Press

“During his time with us he suffered the trauma of being in the 7/7 bombings in Edgware Road. Tony always tried to do his best for us. And he will be greatly missed.”

Scotland Yard said: “Police were called on Wednesday 24 May shortly after 14:10 hours to an address ­following a concern for the welfare of the occupant.

“Officers forced entry to the ­property and found a 52-year-old man who was unresponsive.

14 Scotland Yard confirmed police forced entry to the property and found a 52-year-old dead on Wednesday Credit: Getty Images

“He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s next of kin have been informed.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious. The matter has been referred to the coroner.”

Haringey Coroners yesterday said they were awaiting post-mortem results before opening an inquest.

Legal 500 declined to comment.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.