The coroner who conducted the inquest into the Hillsborough disaster has addmited that "quite a lot" of the victims were still alive beyond his controversial 3.15pm cut-off point.
It was this time point which had effectively closed down the possibility of any wide official investigation into how the emergency services responded to the aftermath of the crush.
Stefan Popper, a Sheffield-based coroner at the time of the disaster, remains a divisive character for victims' families; his decision to limit the inquest meant many emergency service personnel were unable to give evidence about why more than 40 ambulances were not allowed into the stadium.
During the inquest, Dr Popper only allowed consideration of events up to 3.15pm, because, he said, all the victims by that point had received irreversible injuries. Many families believe they never subsequently found out exactly what happened to their loved ones on 15 April 1989.
Speaking publicly on Hillsborough for the first time in many years, Dr Popper conceded: "Several, quite a lot in fact, of the deceased lived in the sense that they were still breathing or had heartbeats, well beyond 3.15pm.
"But the overwhelming evidence was those who died had suffered irretrievable damage which could not be remedied – that's why they died."
Campaigners want the police and ambulance service to release all documents they hold relating to the crush which killed 96 Liverpool supporters. Many paramedics called to the scene have wanted to publicly submit their testimonies but have not been able to.
Dr Popper defended his handling of the inquest, which returned a verdict of accidental death and not unlawful killing, as many relatives wanted.
"I am satisfied we did get to the truth of the matter," he said. "We know who the people were, when they died, where they died and how they died. What I didn't do was have an inquiry into whether some improvement or other could be made in the running of South Yorkshire Ambulance Service."
Campaigners say unanswered questions, which include why only one ambulance crew was allowed into the stadium, warrant a new public inquiry.
Anne Williams, 57, lost her 15-year-old son Kevin that day. Two police officers testified he showed signs of life up to 4pm.
She said: "People are starting to listen and realise there is something seriously wrong with Hillsborough. Extremes were gone to to cover up and protect those at fault. Hopefully the truth will eventually come out. I won't go away until that happens and then perhaps we can all have peace."
Catherine, Woking around 1 year, 2 months ago