Hillsborough officer breaks down in dock discussing disaster

A former police officer broke down as he recalled the Hillsborough disaster to a jury.

Stephen Ellis was an inspector with South Yorkshire Police on duty outside the stadium on the day 95 Liverpool fans were crushed to death on the Leppings Lane terrace.

A huge crowd built up outside the ground at the turnstiles for Liverpool fans, Preston Crown Court has heard, and exit gates were opened to relieve the pressure and let fans in as kick-off approached for the FA Cup semi-final match in Sheffield on April 15 1989.

But once the gates were opened many fans went inside and down a tunnel leading them on to already packed central pens on the terraces behind the goal.

David Duckenfield, who the prosecution alleges bore ultimate responsibility as match commander, is accused of “extraordinary failings” in not monitoring the overcrowding, not blocking the tunnel and not ensuring supporters were directed away from the pens behind the goal to less crowded areas.

By 2.45pm, a dense crowd had built up amid “bloody chaos” outside the ground, the jury heard, with more Liverpool fans arriving for kick-off. Mounted police and foot patrols were overwhelmed and spectators were being crushed at the turnstiles. At 2.52pm, the largest exit gate, gate C, was opened and more fans entered the ground, but over the next few minutes fans in pens three and four behind the goal were crushed to death and the match was abandoned.

Mr Ellis, his voice breaking, became distressed and had to compose himself before he continued: “Witnessing things in front of me, that I was seriously concerned and then what seemed like seconds, I looked again and there was just about five metres of spectators in front of the turnstiles.

“I had a huge sense of relief, but where have they gone? They went in there quick...”

Duckenfield, 74, of Bournemouth, denies the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans.

The trial continues.