The parents of two young women who died in the tragic Hillsborough disaster of 1989 are spearheading a new effort aimed at amending the official court records regarding their daughters’ deaths. Jenni and Trevor Hicks, whose daughters Victoria, aged 15, and Sarah, aged 19, were among the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives, are calling for a fresh hearing to rectify misleading statements that have persisted for decades.
A Long Fight for the Truth
On 15 April 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium, a catastrophic crush occurred, resulting in the deaths of 97 supporters. For Jenni Hicks, the anguish of losing her daughters has only been compounded by the inaccurate portrayal of their final moments, which official records state as swift and painless. However, evidence from recent investigations has shown that many victims, including Victoria and Sarah, were conscious and suffering for at least half an hour after the crush.
“We must fight for the truth,” Jenni shared, her voice filled with emotion. “Every time I think about giving up, I see their faces and realise I can’t stop now.” With a new campaign set to launch, the Hicks family is urging the justice system, lawmakers, and the courts to explore avenues that would allow for the correction of these official records.
The Role of South Yorkshire Police
The South Yorkshire Police, who were implicated in the 1990s legal proceedings that established the erroneous records, are yet to provide their consent for a new hearing. Chief Constable Lauren Poultney stated, “Under my leadership, South Yorkshire Police will take the steps available to us to support the families in achieving a sense of justice.” However, the Hicks family feels that the police’s reluctance to engage in this matter only prolongs their suffering.
Trevor Hicks, who has dedicated nearly four decades to advocating for justice, views this campaign as potentially his “last battle” for the truth. “I’ve been fighting this since my early 40s. It should be simple for the police to acknowledge the truth in court,” he remarked. The records in question stem from a civil case filed by families seeking justice for the pain endured by their loved ones, which ultimately ruled in favour of the police, dismissing claims of prolonged suffering.
The Evidence of Suffering
During the second set of inquests, conducted from 2014 to 2016, it was revealed that the victims experienced fluctuating levels of consciousness and physical injuries that contradicted earlier assumptions of immediate death. Medical evidence indicated that many of those who suffered asphyxia during the disaster were in distress for an extended period, directly opposing the claims made in the 1990s.
Witness accounts from that fateful day described Victoria as crying out for help and visibly distressed, while Sarah was noted to be in a state of panic over her sister’s condition. The implications of these testimonies are profound, as they highlight a narrative of suffering that has been officially overlooked.
Parliamentary Event and Wider Implications
On Monday, Jenni and Trevor Hicks are set to address a parliamentary event in Westminster, hosted by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC. This gathering will bring together MPs, peers, and legal experts to deliberate on the issues surrounding the incorrect record-keeping in the Hillsborough cases. Lead counsel for the Hicks family, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, emphasised that this issue transcends the Hillsborough disaster, raising significant questions about the legal system’s ability to amend its own errors in light of new evidence.
“This is not merely about the Hillsborough tragedy; it is about the integrity of the legal system itself,” Gallagher stated. “The formal records remain unchanged, which is unconscionable given the suffering endured by the victims.”
Why it Matters
The campaign led by the Hicks family for the rectification of historical legal records is not just a quest for personal closure; it represents a broader struggle for justice and accountability within the legal system. It underscores the critical importance of acknowledging and correcting past mistakes, especially in cases where lives were irrevocably altered. The outcome of this campaign could set a precedent for how similar historical injustices are addressed, ultimately ensuring that the voices of victims and their families are heard and validated within the judicial process.