Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 07:24• Daniel Cabot Kerkdijk

More than 32 years later, the Hillsborough disaster of April 15, 1989 has claimed a 97th victim. Liverpool supporter Andrew Devine, who suffered ‘life-changing injuries’ in the tragic event in Sheffield, has died this week. Devine died at the age of 55, Liverpool announced late on Wednesday night.

Panic broke out in the stands at the start of a cup match against Nottingham Forest at the crowded Sheffield Wednesday stadium, overrunning many Liverpool fans. Of them, 94 died on the spot and number 95 died a few days later in a hospital. The 96th victim, then eighteen-year-old Tony Bland, died four years later.

After 32 years, Divine has been added to the list of people who have verifiably lost their lives as a result of the disaster. After the Hillsborough disaster, it was thought that the seriously injured victim would have a maximum of six months to live. “We are blessed to have had him with us for another 32 years,” Liverpool said.

The Hillsborough disaster is impressively commemorated by Liverpool every year. The number 96, referring to the number of victims, played a prominent role in this. Because the coroner has determined that Devine’s death was a direct result of the events of 32 years ago, a 97th name is now added.

In addition to the many dead, more than 750 were injured. After a long and thorough new investigation, a jury in 2016 concluded that the tragedy was due to police failure and not to drunken fans or hooligans. Six of those responsible were charged a year later with serious negligence with fatal consequences. The disaster also meant that the fences in the English stadiums were removed and only seats became available.