Hillsborough Parents' Final Legal Stand for Their Daughters
In a heart-wrenching tale of perseverance, Jenni Hicks, whose teenage daughters Victoria and Sarah were among the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster on April 15, 1989, shares her unwavering determination. Despite the passage of time, the pain of loss remains, and she refuses to let go of the truth.
Jenni and her former husband, Trevor Hicks, are spearheading a new campaign to rectify official court records from the 1990s, which inaccurately state that their children were unconscious within seconds and died within minutes of the terrace crush. This campaign is a desperate attempt to correct a tragic misunderstanding.
Subsequent investigations, including a second set of inquests in 2016, revealed overwhelming evidence that many victims were conscious for at least half an hour after the disaster. The truth, however, remains elusive due to the reluctance of South Yorkshire Police to consent to a fresh hearing where an accurate statement could be read in open court.
Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, when asked about the police's stance, acknowledged the importance of justice for the families. Yet, the police's resistance persists, leaving the Hicks family and their supporters with no choice but to explore political avenues to address this technical issue.
This battle, as Trevor Hicks sees it, is likely his last stand after nearly four decades of relentless campaigning. With age on his side, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of truth, even as he approaches his eightieth year. The legal system's reluctance to correct its own errors is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those seeking justice.
The case in question stems from a civil lawsuit in the early 1990s, where the families of the victims sued South Yorkshire Police for the pain and suffering endured by their loved ones. Victoria, aged 15, and her sister Sarah, aged 19, became pivotal test cases. Despite their parents' appeals, including a landmark case in the House of Lords, the police prevailed, imposing significant legal costs on the Hicks family.
A central issue was the so-called '30-second rule,' a false conclusion that presumed all victims were unconscious within 30 seconds. This assumption, along with the claim that every victim died before 15:15 GMT, was later proven false. The courts, however, ruled that Sarah and Victoria experienced swift and sudden deaths, based on medical evidence.
Multiple witnesses, however, reported Victoria's distress and crying, while Sarah was described as intensely distressed and panicked about her sister. 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, gathering MPs, peers, and legal experts to examine this critical issue. The Hicks family's lead counsel, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, emphasizes the broader implications, questioning the legal system's courage to correct itself when earlier assumptions are proven false.
The Hicks family's determination to set the record straight is a testament to their unwavering love for their daughters. For Jenni, this campaign is a final legal stand, not just for her daughters but for all victims and families facing similar injustices and incorrect legal records. The police's acknowledgment of their mistakes and the lack of a challenge route only adds to the family's distress.
As the parliamentary event unfolds, the Hicks family's story continues to inspire and provoke thought, leaving an indelible mark on the pursuit of justice.
