Hillsborough's 97th Victim Was Unlawfully Killed, Coroner Concludes

By Zainab Pervez in Heartbreaking On 12th August 2021
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On 15 April 1989, overcrowding occurred on the terraces of Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium at the start of the semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest football clubs.

The resulting crush led to the deaths of 96 people and injured hundreds more.

Until Mr Devine's death, the last of the victims had been Tony Bland, who was left severely brain-damaged but lived until 1993.

Andrew Devine died on Tuesday, 32 years after being hurt in a crush at an FA Cup semi-final that led to 96 deaths.

In 2016, inquests concluded those 96 fans had been unlawfully killed.

Senior Coroner Andre Rebello said the 55-year-old was the disaster's "97th fatality" and as such, the conclusion was the same.

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Announcing Mr Devine's death on Wednesday, his family said: "Our collective devastation is overwhelming but so too is the realisation that we were blessed to have had Andrew with us for 32 years."

"We welcome the conclusion of the coroner," they added.

In his conclusion, Mr Rebello said Mr Devine had died from aspiration pneumonia, which had been caused by a brain injury that resulted from oxygen deprivation and crush injuries.

He added that the 2016 inquests had been "comprehensive and thorough and arose out of the same circumstances that caused the crush injuries to Andrew Devine, which were to prove fatal 32 years later".

"As such, it is proportionate, reasonable and sufficient for me to adopt the jury's findings and determination in full."

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Mr Devine's family describe him as a 'much loved son, brother and uncle'. 

Despite being confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak and able to eat only puréed food, the love and support of Andrew's family kept him going.

But last night they released a statement confirming he had 'passed away.

The statement says: 'It is with great sadness and a sense of immense loss that we can confirm that Andrew Devine passed away yesterday at the premature age of 55.

'As ever, our thoughts are with all of those affected by Hillsborough.

'We would ask that our privacy is respected at this sad time.'

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The players and staff of Liverpool football club have observed 97 seconds of silence at their training base in Austria as a tribute to Andrew Devine, 55.

In a statement, the club said they were "deeply saddened" at the news.

"A lifelong Liverpool supporter, Andrew continued to attend matches at Anfield when possible despite suffering life-changing injuries at Hillsborough."

"In doing so he defied expectations that he would not survive for six months after the tragedy."

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Having made it through the first crucial 24 hours, his parents were warned he would probably be dead within six months and they later learned nobody who had suffered such injuries had survived beyond eight years.

Devine, 22 when he went to Hillsborough to support Liverpool, had been looked after for the following 32 years by his parents, Hilary and Stanley, a retired police inspector, three sisters and a brother, and carers.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak and able to eat only puréed food, the love and support of Andrew’s family kept him going.

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The family has remained close to Liverpool football club, took Andrew to some home matches at Anfield.

They also dismissed any idea of Andrew having been “forgotten” outside the family, which was proven years later when James Milner stopped during Liverpool’s Champions League victory parade to bring the trophy to the Devine home for Andrew to see.

Andrew's sister Wendy stressed: “He’s not been forgotten. It’s just that people don’t know, and part of that is because mum and dad decided to stay away from the Press. To say he’s forgotten sounds bitter, and we’re not.

“Our hearts always go out to those families who lost loved ones and we have always supported them.”

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The name of the 97th victim of the Hillsborough disaster will be added to Liverpool's memorial at Anfield, the club has said.

The club said it would also hold a minute's silence for Mr Devine.

The tribute will take place ahead of Liverpool's opening home game in the Premier League against Burnley on Saturday 21 August.

A special mosaic will also be displayed on the Kop, which will feature the Eternal Flames with the number 97, the club said.

It also plans to update emblems, including on the back of player's shirts, from 96 to 97.

However the club said it would not be possible to change them in time for the new football season.

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In 2016, an inquest jury ruled 96 Liverpool fans had been unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough disaster.

Until Mr Devine's death, the last of the victims had been Tony Bland, who was left severely brain damaged by the crush at the stadium but lived until 1993.