The parents of two teenage sisters who tragically lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster are initiating a fresh campaign to rectify inaccuracies in the official records regarding the final moments before their daughters’ passing.
Victoria and Sarah Hicks, teenage siblings among the 97 Liverpool supporters who perished in the Hillsborough tragedy on April 15, 1989, are at the center of this effort. Their parents are spearheading the movement to amend the court records, which misrepresent that the girls lost consciousness within 30 seconds and perished shortly after, contrary to the prolonged suffering they actually endured.
Despite efforts to correct the record, consent from South Yorkshire Police, a crucial step in the process, has not been granted to Jenni and Trevor Hicks. The chief constable of SYP, Lauren Poultney, has expressed willingness to support the families but has not taken the necessary actions, prompting frustration from the parents and their legal representatives.
The tragic incident at the FA Cup semi-final resulted in the unlawful deaths of 97 Liverpool fans due to a series of errors by the authorities. The Hillsborough Independent Panel and subsequent inquests discredited the notion that victims lost consciousness almost immediately, revealing a flawed assumption known as the “30-second rule.”
The Hicks family’s pursuit of justice was met with legal obstacles, culminating in multiple rejections, including by the House of Lords. They are now advocating for a “Hicks Rule” to simplify the process of correcting legal records for individuals facing similar challenges.
Jenni Hicks emphasized the importance of setting the record straight after more than three decades of misinformation, stressing that this endeavor is about truth, dignity, and recognizing the ordeal endured by Sarah, Victoria, and others on that tragic day.
The parents recount how Victoria, the only female child victim of the disaster, was visibly distressed and crying, while witnesses observed Sarah’s concern for her sister’s well-being. The couple will participate in a parliamentary event to address broader issues raised by their case, with legal experts and lawmakers joining the discussion.
Lead counsel Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC highlighted the need for the legal system to rectify past inaccuracies, emphasizing the prolonged suffering endured by Sarah and Victoria, contrary to the existing legal record.
Despite acknowledging past mistakes, SYP Chief Constable Ms. Poultney expressed regret over the pain caused by the errors of South Yorkshire Police and pledged to support the families in their pursuit of justice. Mr. Hicks underscored the injustice of accepting the police narrative, which denied acknowledgment of his daughters’ suffering, emphasizing the pressing need for corrective action.
