Hillsborough report: Up to 41 of 96 supporters could have survived

Up to half of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough tragedy might have lived if the emergency services had had proper access to the pitch, the independent report panel said today.

Panel member Dr Bill Kirkupp said: “Twenty eight people had definite evidence that they didn’t have obstruction of the blood flow, 16 people had definite evidence of heart and lungs continuing to function for a prolonged period after the crush.

“In total 41 therefore had evidence that they had potential to survive after the period of 3.15.

“What I can’t say is how many of them could, in actuality, have been saved.

“But I can say is that, potentially, it was in that order of magnitude.”

The original inquest into the deaths set a 3.15pm cut-off time for evidence, saying all the victims were dead by that time, however the panel admits there were a total of 41 victims who were alive after 3.15.

Hillsborough Report: the key findings

• Police carried out criminal record checks on deceased to ‘impugn reputations’
• Senior officers privately discussed ‘animalistic behaviour’ of ‘drunken marauding fans’
• New evidence suggests dozens survived past 3.15pm inquest cut-off point
• 116 of the 164 South Yorkshire Police statements were doctored
• South Yorkshire Ambulance Service evidence was misleading
• No evidence to support police account that fans were drunk and aggressive
• Margaret Thatcher expressed concern in Cabinet that the first inquiry into the disaster contained ‘devastating criticism of the police’
• Weight placed on blood alcohol levels among the dead was ‘inappropriate’
• The Sun’s allegations originated from a senior police officer and MP for Sheffield Hallam Irvine Patnick.

My Sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Victims, families, survivors and for the fans who have tirelessly campaigned for truth and justice.
Always remember, You’ll never walk alone.