Page:Hillsborough Taylor Interim Report Cm765.pdf/28

PART II - WHY DID IT HAPPEN?

"Events of the magnitude of Hillsborough don't usually happen just for one single reason, nor is it usually possible to pin the blame on one single scapegoat... ... Disasters happen because a whole series of mistakes, misjudgments and mischances happen to come together in a deadly combination."

Dr John Habgood, Archbishop of York, preaching at the Hillsborough Memorial Service on 23 April 1989.

115. This disaster was the worst in the history of British football. It happened because pens 3 and 4 became grossly overcrowded. They were uncomfortably overcrowded by 2.50 pm at least to a degree which required that they should be closed to further arrivals. Even the numbers coming through the turnstiles in the last 10 minutes would have increased the pressure beyond danger point and there would have been injuries if not fatalities. As it was, the influx through gate C after 2.52 pm so increased the pressure in the two pens as to cause fatal crushing.

116. The overcrowding up to 2.52 pm was due to a number of factors which can be considered broadly under three heads.

(i)

The layout at the Leppings Lane end.

(ii)

Lack of fixed capacities for the pens,

(iii)

Lack of effective monitoring of the terraces.

117. The crushing and fatalities after 2.52 pm must be considered under a number of headings.

(iv)

The build-up at the turnstiles.

(v)

The blunder on opening the gates.

(vi)

The barriers in pen 3.

(vii)

The crushing not recognised,

(viii)

The response of the police.

(ix)

The perimeter gates were too small.