Hillsborough Parents' Final Legal Stand for Their Daughters
In a heart-wrenching tale of perseverance, Jenni and Trevor Hicks, parents of the late Victoria and Sarah, are embarking on a final legal battle to correct the official records of their daughters' tragic deaths in the Hillsborough disaster. This campaign, a testament to their enduring love and determination, aims to rectify a decades-old injustice that has haunted the Hicks family and the broader Hillsborough community.
The Hillsborough disaster, which occurred on April 15, 1989, took the lives of 97 Liverpool fans, including Victoria and Sarah. The initial court records from the 1990s incorrectly stated that the sisters were unconscious within seconds and died within minutes of the terrace crush. However, overwhelming evidence from subsequent investigations, including a second set of inquests in 2016, revealed that many victims were conscious for at least half an hour after the disaster.
The Hicks family's quest for justice is hindered by the South Yorkshire Police's refusal to consent to a fresh hearing where an accurate statement could be read in open court. Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, when asked about her force's stance, acknowledged the need for justice but did not commit to a resolution.
Jenni and Trevor, in a last-ditch effort, are launching a new campaign to urge the justice system, courts, and politicians to explore mechanisms for correcting inaccurate court records. This campaign is a testament to their unwavering commitment to truth and justice, even after nearly four decades of campaigning.
Jenni, her voice filled with emotion, expressed the ongoing struggle: "You're trying to deal with the deaths of your children, and you can't get to the truth of it. Even now, 37 years down the line, South Yorkshire Police are still refusing to put the record straight."
Trevor, seeing this as his final battle, reflects on the journey: "I'll be 80 soon, and I was in my early 40s when this started. Most of my adult life has been dedicated to this cause."
The legal battle centers around a civil case from the early 1990s, where the families of the victims sued South Yorkshire Police over the pain and suffering endured by their loved ones. The Hicks family's case was scuppered by the '30-second rule,' a false conclusion that presumed every person killed was unconscious within 30 seconds. This assumption, along with the claim that every victim died before 15:15 GMT, was later proven false.
The courts ruled that Sarah and Victoria experienced swift and sudden deaths, but multiple witnesses reported Victoria's distress and Sarah's intense panic about Victoria. Medical evidence from the new inquests revealed that victims who died from asphyxia at Hillsborough likely suffered physical injuries and fluctuating consciousness over extended periods.
On Monday, Jenni and Trevor will address a parliamentary event in Westminster, hosted by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, to examine the issue. The event brings together MPs, peers, and legal experts, highlighting the broader implications of the case.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, lead counsel for the Hicks family, emphasized the significance of the case: "This is about whether the legal system has the courage and mechanisms to correct itself when later evidence proves earlier assumptions to be false."
The Hicks family's determination to set the record straight is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of Hillsborough. For Jenni, it's a final legal stand for her daughters, but also for all those affected by similar injustices. As the campaign unfolds, the Hicks family's legacy will continue to inspire a quest for truth and justice, ensuring that the memories of Victoria and Sarah live on.
