FRESH inquests into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans have found they were unlawfully killed at the Hillsborough disaster.

After fighting for justice for 27 years, relatives sobbed as the jury exonerated their loved ones of any blame.

Six Halton victims – including two teenagers and a dad and his son from Runcorn and two men who worked in Widnes - lost their lives at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday on April 15, 1989.

After listening to evidence for two years, the jury found match commander Ch Supt David Duckinfield’s actions amounted to ‘gross negligence’.

The jury concluded:

• Police errors caused a dangerous situation at the turnstiles

• Failures by commanding officers caused a crush on the terraces

• The emergency response was delayed because the ambulance service was too slow to declare a major incident

• Defects in the stadium contributed to the disaster

Families clapped, cried and hugged each other after the verdicts were announced.

Halton MP Derek Twigg, who watched the disaster unfold from the north stand, said: “I’m relieved and delighted.

“It’s been a tremendously long process and the real heroes have been the families. Their courage and fortitude has been unbelievable.

“Never giving up in 27 years, their campaign has been fully vindicated.

“There was no blame at all attributed to any of the fans.”

The lifelong Liverpool fan vividly remembers witnessing Britain’s worst sporting disaster.

“The horror unfolded before your eyes,” he said.

“It was surreal, I couldn’t believe it.

“I saw people struggling to climb out. It was a stupid decision to put them into that stand.

“This landmark decision has now finally got the truth out.

“All the lies and conspiracy against Liverpool fans can be put to rest.

“Also the nonsense of the 3.15pm cut off point. Clearly people were living after that point.

“I get very emotional about it.”