Hillsborough: Son 'cradled' father in stadium crush

Gerard Baron, a retired postal inspector from Preston, was nicknamed the "Red Baron" by colleagues

A man has described how he tried to "cradle" his father to protect him as the pressure in the crowd at the Hillsborough disaster increased.

Gerard Baron Jr, giving evidence at the new inquests, said his father had a look of "sheer terror" on his face.

Mr Baron and his father, also called Gerard, were "lifelong" Liverpool fans and went to watch their team at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough.

Mr Baron Snr, aged 67, was the oldest victim of the disaster.

The court heard how the retired postal inspector, from Preston, was nicknamed the "Red Baron" by colleagues because of his love of Liverpool.

Christina Lambert, QC for the coroner, said he and his son arrived in Sheffield at 13.20 BST and took up a position inside pen three, an enclosure on the Leppings Lane terrace at the ground.

Mr Baron Jr, who was 26 at the time, said his father was initially by his side as they stood at the front of the pen but, as the crowd built up, he moved behind his father.

Giving evidence via video link in Australia, he said: "I sort of cradled him - trying to protect him from the pressure."

Ninety-six fans died as a result of a crush at Sheffield Wednesday's ground during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest

Mr Baron turned to face his son. The court heard how he "had a look of just sheer terror on his face".

"I just said to him that it would be okay," Mr Baron Jr said.

"From that point it became worse and I was really, really concerned for my dad, for myself. Then there was a sudden surge from the back.

"I couldn't hang on any further, with my hands and my arms buckled, and I was sort of twisted to the right-hand side."

Mr Baron said he did not see his father alive again and also lost consciousness in the crush. The pain, he added, was "excruciating".

'Feeling of anger'

Liverpool fan William Duckworth told the court a surge pushed him near Mr Baron in the pen.

He said that he was "very pale" and "became discoloured". Mr Duckworth added: "He was clearly not conscious by that stage and did not look in a good condition at all."

Ernest Gillatt, a St John Ambulance medic, said he pushed an oxygen mask through the fence to try to revive him but said there was "no response at all" from Mr Baron.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Baron said: "Today, and leading up to today has been very distressing.

"To finally, after 26 years, ascertain actual evidence surrounding my father's death, as a result of his attending the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, has been heartbreaking to say the least.

"It's a feeling of anger, hurt, and disbelief at not knowing all this information much sooner. It's been very hard to take."

The inquests, held in Warrington, Cheshire, continue.

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