HILLSBORO HORROR ‘CAUSED BY TOP COP’
Chief’s blunders a ‘substantial’ factor
NINETY six football fans died at Hillsborough due to “extraordinarily bad” failures by the police chief in charge, a jury heard yesterday.
David Duckenfield, now 74, was match commander for the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
His blunders “contributed substantially” to the 1989 crush at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium, the court heard.
Richard Matthews QC, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court: “There was an extraordinary series of collective and personal failures on the part of many, if not all, of those responsible for the planning, organisation and management of the arrival, entry and accommodation of the 50,000 fans.
“Sadly, there were also many collective and individual failures to intervene effectively once the disaster unfolded, not least through the failure of anyone in a position to do so, Mr Duckenfield included.’’
The later failures included not swiftly declaring a major incident and not putting emergency measures in place to release trapped fans or to organise emergency medical attention, particularly resuscitation, said Mr Matthews.
Mr Duckenfield, a retired chief superintendent with
South Yorkshire Police who now lives in Ferndown,
Dorset, denies manslaughter by gross negligence of
95 Liverpool fans.
Under the law at the time there can be no prosecution over 96th victim – 22-year-old
Tony Bland – as he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.
A group of victims’ relatives were allowed into court to watch the opening of the trial yesterday while others followed proceedings via videolink in Liverpool.
Graham Mackrell, 69, former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, denies contravening the stadium’s safety certificate.
He also denies failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety Act.
The trial continues.