Hillsborough Chief: My Failure 'Caused' Deaths

The police officer in charge at Hillsborough has agreed that his failure to close a tunnel "was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 people".

David Duckenfield made the admission during his sixth day of questioning at the inquests into the 1989 tragedy.

Asked if his failure to close a tunnel through which Liverpool fans flowed into packed pens was "the direct cause of the deaths of 96 persons in the Hillsborough tragedy", he replied: "Yes, sir."

Paul Greaney QC, representing the Police Federation, put it to the 70-year-old: "Do you agree that never mind a competent match commander, it might only take a child of average intelligence to realise what the consequences of your actions might be?"

Mr Duckenfield replied: "I did not think of it on the day, sir, because of the pressure I was under."

As many as 2,000 supporters entered Gate C, many of whom headed straight for the tunnel in question.

Mr Duckenfield argued he had "no idea" supporters would head through the tunnel.

The retired chief superintendent of South Yorkshire Police admitted there was a "state of shock" in the control room and that he "froze", but denied claims he "bottled it" as the disaster unfolded in the Leppings Lane end.

The inquests have heard how Mr Duckenfield told the 1989 Taylor Inquiry that he made the right decisions on the day - but he now accepts he made some "grave" errors.

Mr Duckenfield has previously said he suffered post-traumatic stress - but here he declined to go into "personal circumstances".

He conceded he may have been "confused" when he gave evidence at the original inquiry into the disaster, which occurred at the start of an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April, 1989.