Question 1: basic facts of the disaster
Do you agree with the following statement which is intended to summarise the basic facts of the disaster: On 15 April, 1989, 96 people died in the disaster at Hillsborough stadium as a result of crushing in the central pens of the Leppings Lane terrace, following the admission of a large number of supporters to the stadium through exit gates.
Answer: Yes.
Question 2: police planning for the semi-final match
Was there any error or omission in the police planning and preparation for the semi-final match on 15 April, 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?
Answer: Yes.
Explanation for answer:
The jury feel that there were major ommisions in the 1989 operational order including:
- Specific instructions for managing the crowds outside the Leppings Lane turnstiles
- specific instructions as to how the pens were to be filled and monitored
- specific instructions as to who would be responsible for the monitoring of pens
Question 3: policing of the match and the situation at the turnstiles
Was there any error or omission in policing on the day of the match which caused or contributed to a dangerous situation developing at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?
Answer: Yes.
Explanation:
- Police response to the increasing crowds at Leppings Lane was slow and uncoordinated
- The road closure and sweep of fans exacerbated the situation
- No filler cordons were placed in Leppings Lane
- No contingency plans were made for the sudden arrival of a large number of fans
- Attempts to close the perimeter gates were made too late
Question 4: policing of the match and the crush on the terrace
Was there any error or omission by commanding officers which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace?
Answer: Yes.
Explanation:
- Commanding officers should have ordered the closure of the central tunnel before the opening of gate C was requested, as pens 3 and 4 were full
- Commanding officers should have requested [editors note: it is possible the jury meant restricted] the number of fans still to enter the stadium after 2.30 pm
- Commanding officers failed to recognise that pens 3 and 4 were at capacity before gate C was opened
- Commanding officers failed to order the closure of the tunnel as gate C was opened
Question 5: the opening of the gates
When the order was given to open the exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium, was there any error or omission by the commanding officers in the control box which caused or contributed to the crush on the terrace?
Answer: Yes.
Explanation:
- Commanding officers did not inform officers in the inner concourcse poior to the opening of gate C
- Commanding officers failed to consider where the incoming fans would go
- Commanding officers failed to order the closure of the central tunnel prior to the opening of gate C
Question 6: determination on unlawful killing issue
Are you satisfied, so that you are sure, that those who died in the disaster were unlawfully killed?
Answer: Yes.
Question 7: behaviour of the supporters
Was there any behaviour on the part of football supporters which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?
Answer: No.
If your answer to the question above is no, then was there any behaviour on the part of football supporters which which may have caused or contributed to the dangerous situation at the Leppings Lane turnstiles?
Answer: No.
Question 8: defects in Hillsborough stadium
Were there any features of the design, construction and layout of the stadium which you consider were dangerous or defective and which caused or contributed to the disaster?
Answer: Yes.
Question 9: licensing and oversight of Hillsborough stadium
Was there any error or omission in the safety certification and oversight of Hillsborough stadium that caused or contributed to the disaster?
Answer: Yes.
Question 10: conduct of Sheffield Wednesday FC before the day of the match
Was there any error or omission by Sheffield Wednesday FC (and its staff) in the management of the stadium and/or preparation for the semi-final match on 15 April, 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?
Answer: Yes.
Question 11: conduct of Sheffield Wednesday FC on the day of the match
Was there any error or omission by Sheffield Wednesday FC (and its staff) on 15 April, 1989 which caused or contributed to the dangerous situation that developed on the day of the match?
Answer: Yes.
Question 12: conduct of Eastwood & Partners
Should Eastwood & Partners [the clubs consultant engineers] have done more to detect and advise on any unsafe or unsatisfactory features of Hillsborough stadium which caused or contributed to the disaster?
Answer: Yes.
Question 13: emergency response and the role of the South Yorkshire police
After the crush in the west terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by the police which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster?
Answer: Yes.
Question 14: emergency response and the role of the South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance service (Symas)
After the crush in the west terrace had begun to develop, was there any error or omission by Symas which caused or contributed to the loss of lives in the disaster?
Answer: Yes.