A man confirmed as the 97th victim of the Hillsborough disaster has died.
Andrew Devine passed away on Tuesday at the age of 55 after suffering life-changing injuries in the tragedy which left him severely brain damaged.
He had been confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak since being caught up in the 1989 crush which saw 96 Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed.
But despite falling into a coma, the Mossley Hill resident defied medical experts who forecast he would only live for six months after the tragedy.
Liverpool Coroner’s Court have ruled Mr Devine was also unlawfully killed at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground, making him the 97th fatality of the disaster.
In a statement, his family said: “Our collective devastation is overwhelming but so too is the realisation that we were blessed to have had Andrew with us for 32 years since the Hillsborough tragedy.
“We welcome the conclusion of the coroner, Mr Andre Rebello, made today at Liverpool Coroner’s Court, that Andrew was unlawfully killed, making him the 97th fatality of the tragic events that occurred on April 15, 1989.
“In the intervening years, Andrew has been a much loved son, brother and uncle.
“He has been supported by his family and a team of dedicated carers, all of whom devoted themselves to him.
“As ever, our thoughts are with all of those affected by Hillsborough.
“We would ask that our privacy is respected at this sad time.”
Mr Devine is the second Hillsborough victim to die beyond the immediate aftermath of the tragedy which unfolded before the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.
The other, Tony Bland, passed away in 1993 when a court granted permission for his life support to be withdrawn after suffering irreparable brain damage.