Hillsborough: sister thanks people who tried to help late brother

Vincent Fitzsimmons' sister thanked those who tried to help him at Hillsborough

A woman whose brother died in the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster has thanked those who tried to help him.

Dorothy Griffiths said it gave her family "great comfort" to know that Vincent Fitzsimmons "was not abandoned or left on his own".

The 34-year-old from Wigan was one of 96 fans fatally injured in a terrace crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Several witnesses told the new inquests about Mr Fitzsimmons' final movements.

Richard Shimwell, a former constable with South Yorkshire Police, helped move casualties from the Leppings Lane terraces on to the pitch.

He said Mr Fitzsimmons was "purple in the face, eyes open, bloodshot and glazed".

Matthew Hill, on behalf of the coroner, asked whether he could recall any signs of life after Mr Fitzsimmons was pulled from the crush.

"No, none," Mr Shimwell replied. "I thought from the moment I took hold of him he was dead."

No signs of life

Stephen Mitton, a Liverpool fan who helped carry casualties from the pitch to the club's gymnasium which was used as a temporary morgue, told the court he stood by Mr Fitzsimmons' body.

"I was looking around for my mate and I was just looking at different bodies waiting for something to happen and nothing was happening," he said. "I knew he had to be moved so I just stood with him."

The court was shown a photograph of Mr Mitton and several other men carrying him to the gymnasium.

Asked whether he remembered seeing any change in his condition or signs of life, he replied: "No change whatsoever."

Outside court, Mr Fitzsimmons' older sister, Dr Griffiths, thanked those who had helped during the 15 April 1989 disaster.

"It brings us great comfort to know that Vincent, who was loved and liked by so many, was not abandoned or left on his own," she said.

"To those who tried to help Vincent and tried to give him some dignity and respect, the knowledge of your immense kindness and humanity has given us huge comfort and hope for the future."

The hearings, sitting in Warrington, Cheshire, are due to resume on Monday.

Who were the 96 victims?

BBC News: Profiles of all those who died