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| Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield admits causing 96 deaths | 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 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. | 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 "panicked" 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. | 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. |
| Mr Greaney suggested a child of "average intelligence" could have realised what would happen when the gate, which allowed up to 2,000 fans to enter, was opened. | |
| But Mr Duckenfield said he did "not think of it on the day" because of the pressure he was under. | |
| He had "no idea" Liverpool fans would head through the gate for a tunnel which led to the already-packed terraces, he told the jury. | |
| When asked by Mr Greaney if his failure to take steps to close the tunnel entrance was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 people, Mr Duckenfield replied: "yes sir." | |
| Ninety-six Liverpool fans died after crushing at the FA Cup semi final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest held at Hillsborough. | Ninety-six Liverpool fans died after crushing at the FA Cup semi final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest held at Hillsborough. |
| Mr Greaney asked Mr Duckenfield if he had been incompetent in his role on the day of the disaster. | |
| The retired officer answered: "I think it is a view some would agree with sir." | |
| Mr Greaney accused Mr Duckenfield of "concealing" his full knowledge of the geography of the ground from the jury, which he denied. | |
| When asked by the barrister if he "simply froze", Mr Duckenfield said he thought it would be "fair to say that we were all in a state of shock." | |
| It was the match commander's job to "get past any feelings of shock", Mr Greaney said. | |
| "Yes, sir, but I am human," Mr Duckenfield replied. |