Top Hillsborough campaigner dies of cancer aged 62
Source: AFP |
April 19, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
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A WOMAN who became one of the leading campaigners for victims of Hillsborough after her 15-year-old son was killed in Britain's worst disaster at a sports event has died, it was announced yesterday.
Anne Williams, who died from cancer aged 62, battled to have the inquest verdict of accidental death recorded for her son Kevin overturned, which was considered a turning point in the families' fight for justice.
Ninety-six Liverpool fans were crushed to death in the Hillsborough football stadium disaster in Sheffield, northern England, in April 1989. It was the worst sporting disaster in British history.
In September, after an exhaustive review of thousands of formerly classified documents, an independent panel revealed that police had altered more than 160 witness statements as part of an attempt to divert blame towards Liverpool supporters.
Williams was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October, but she carried on her campaign and attended a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in December when the original inquest verdicts were quashed.
Speaking after the hearing, she said: "I am glad we never gave up. It has been hard, but we wouldn't have been here today. I am so glad I could be here today to hear it for myself."
Fresh inquests will now be held into the deaths of all the victims.
Liverpool Football Club recalled that Williams had attended a memorial service for the victims on the 24th anniversary of the disaster on Monday, confined to a wheelchair by her failing health.
"It was an act so typical of a mum who simply refused to accept defeat," the club said in a statement.
"Anne may not have survived to see ultimate justice for her son but her actions have played a significant part in ensuring that 96 families have moved closer to Hillsborough closure."
Anne Williams, who died from cancer aged 62, battled to have the inquest verdict of accidental death recorded for her son Kevin overturned, which was considered a turning point in the families' fight for justice.
Ninety-six Liverpool fans were crushed to death in the Hillsborough football stadium disaster in Sheffield, northern England, in April 1989. It was the worst sporting disaster in British history.
In September, after an exhaustive review of thousands of formerly classified documents, an independent panel revealed that police had altered more than 160 witness statements as part of an attempt to divert blame towards Liverpool supporters.
Williams was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October, but she carried on her campaign and attended a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in December when the original inquest verdicts were quashed.
Speaking after the hearing, she said: "I am glad we never gave up. It has been hard, but we wouldn't have been here today. I am so glad I could be here today to hear it for myself."
Fresh inquests will now be held into the deaths of all the victims.
Liverpool Football Club recalled that Williams had attended a memorial service for the victims on the 24th anniversary of the disaster on Monday, confined to a wheelchair by her failing health.
"It was an act so typical of a mum who simply refused to accept defeat," the club said in a statement.
"Anne may not have survived to see ultimate justice for her son but her actions have played a significant part in ensuring that 96 families have moved closer to Hillsborough closure."
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