That was the worst moment of my life

Hillsborough dad’s pain over daughters

A DAD has told a court of his turmoil during the Hillsborough disaster as he went to hospital with one daughter while her sister was lying on the pitch.

Trevor Hicks said it was “probably the worst moment of my life”.

His girls, Sarah, 19, and Victoria, 15, were killed by the crush. The trio were in the Leppings Lane end at the 1989 game.

The sisters were behind the goal and their dad was further to the side, near the police control box.

Mr Hicks said that as fans began climbing over fences to escape the crush at the FA Cup semi-final, he told police things were going “badly wrong”. He said an officer replied: “Shut your f ****** prattle.” Mr Hicks found his girls on the pitch and tried to resuscitate them. He said he helped put Victoria in an ambulance then agonised about whether to stay. He said he left, hoping Sarah would follow in another ambulance.

The crush at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium killed 96 Liverpool FC fans. Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, died, told the jury: “I saw police pushing back into pen three of those who were fighting for their life to get out.” Match commander on the day, ex-chief Supt David Duckenfield, 74, denies gross negligence manslaughter. Graham Mackrell, the then Wednesday club secretary, denies safety offences. The Preston crown court trial continues.

KILLED Victoria was 15 CRUSH Sarah died at 19 TERRACES Trevor Hicks, circled, as the tragedy unfolds at Hillsborough stadium in 1989 COURT Mr Hicks