This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31928476
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield admits causing 96 deaths | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Hillsborough police match commander has agreed that his failure to close a tunnel "was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 people". | The Hillsborough police match commander has agreed that his failure to close a tunnel "was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 people". |
| David Duckenfield also accepted that he "froze" during the afternoon of the 1989 football disaster. | David Duckenfield also accepted that he "froze" during the afternoon of the 1989 football disaster. |
| Mr Duckenfield was giving evidence for a sixth day at the new Hillsborough inquests in Warrington, Cheshire. | Mr Duckenfield was giving evidence for a sixth day at the new Hillsborough inquests in Warrington, Cheshire. |
| He was being questioned by Paul Greaney QC on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales. | |
| Mr Duckenfield, now 70, had earlier denied claims he "bottled it" and "froze" as the disaster unfolded. | |
| The jury was told the former chief superintendent had at least three minutes to "consider the consequences" of opening an exit gate at the stadium, as a crowd of fans built up outside. | |
| But Mr Duckenfield insisted he had "no idea" Liverpool fans would then head for a tunnel which led to the already-packed terraces. | |
| 'State of shock' | |
| Ninety-six Liverpool fans died after crushing at the FA Cup semi final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest held at Hillsborough. | |
| Mr Greaney accused Mr Duckenfield of "concealing" his full knowledge of the geography of the ground from the jury. | |
| The retired officer replied: "I can assure you, sir, I had no idea where fans go from [turnstiles] A to G, or the opening of gate C." | |
| Mr Greaney said: "Can you not tell us whether on that day in that situation you simply froze?" | |
| Mr Duckenfield said he thought it would be "fair to say that we were all in a state of shock." | |
| But Mr Greaney said it was the match commander's job to "get past any feelings of shock". | |
| "Yes, sir, but I am human," he replied. |