A Liverpool fan who was injured at Hillsborough is the 97th person to be unlawfully killed in the disaster, a coroner has found.
Andrew Devine, 55, died on Tuesday – more than 32 years after he was badly hurt in the tragedy at the FA Cup semi-final on 15 April 1989.
In a statement released through Liverpool Football Club 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 since the Hillsborough tragedy.”
In a record of inquest, Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello said: “Andrew Devine died at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital after a long illness of 32 years from aspiration pneumonia.”
He said the inquest into the first 96 fatalities of the disaster, which concluded in 2016, was “comprehensive and thorough” and during the hearings the circumstances of Devine’s serious injuries were considered.
He added: “As such, it is proportionate, reasonable and sufficient for me to adopt the jury’s findings and determination in full.”
‘Unlawfully killed’
The jury in those inquests, held in Warrington, recorded a conclusion of unlawful killing and found errors and omissions by South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and South Yorkshire Ambulance Service before and after the fatal crush on the Leppings Lane terraces.
It found the behaviour of fans did not contribute to the disaster.
The record of inquest, from the hearing held on Wednesday, stated Mr Devine had been admitted to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on 12 July with aspiration pneumonia and fever but died on the morning of 27 July.
The brain injury caused as a result of trauma he suffered in the Hillsborough disaster meant he was predisposed to fatal aspiration pneumonia, Rebello found.
The coroner concluded: “I find that it is more likely than not that Andrew Devine was unlawfully killed, making him the 97th fatality from the events of 15 April 1989.”
Devine’s family said they welcomed the conclusion of the coroner.
In the statement, they said: “In the intervening years, Andrew has been a much loved son, brother and uncle. He has been supported by his family and a team of dedicated carers, all of whom devoted themselves to him.
“As ever, our thoughts are with all of those affected by Hillsborough.”
‘May he rest in peace’
A statement from Liverpool football club said they were “deeply saddened” by his death.
A spokesman said: “A lifelong Liverpool supporter, Andrew continued to attend matches at Anfield when possible despite suffering life-changing injuries at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989.
“In doing so he defied expectations that he would not survive for six months after the tragedy.”
The spokesman added: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Andrew’s family and his carers.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was manager of Liverpool at the time of the tragedy, wrote on Twitter: “The thoughts of Marina and myself are with the Devine family, especially his magnificent parents who gave him such incredible care.
“Andrew will always be remembered by everyone at Liverpool Football Club. May he rest in peace.”
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