‘Lessons not learned’: Hillsborough survivor’s emotional message as Newcastle fans overcrowding experience

A Hillsborough survivor has said that lessons have still not been learnt after reports of overcrowding from Newcastle United fans in the Leppings Lane End on Saturday.

Magpies fans have spoken of hearing 'audible screams' in the away end concourse at halftime in the FA Cup 3rd Round as the FA confirmed that they were looking into the accounts.

A crush at the same end in 1989 during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest tragically saw 97 supporters lose their lives.

A survivor of that day, Peter Scarfe, now runs the Hillborough Survivors Support Alliance and voiced his concerns at history repeating itself after last weekend.

Mr Scarfe told PA: "Lessons obviously haven’t been learned. Grounds now are about standing and rail seating and you kind of think this wouldn’t happen any more but it seems to in Sheffield.

“It is a disaster waiting to happen. Nearly 34 years of experience and research and mistakes to learn from and they just obviously haven’t.

“People will panic. If you are new to the stadium and you have heard the stories you are bound to panic. The amount of messages which have come through today shows that people are being re-triggered because the same thing is happening again.

“No-one is listening to us and lessons are not being learned. We are not here crying in our beer, we are trying to prevent people going through what we went through.”

Read more: ‘Unacceptable’: Newcastle MP slams Hillsborough ‘overcrowding’ as worries reach Government

Earlier today, NewcastleWorld heard from a Magpies fan who was in attendance at the game. Chris, 37, said that from what he saw problems became their worst during half time.

He said: "The concourse in that away end is unsuitable for 2,000 fans, let alone 4,500. We were like tinned sardines in there and it took me the full 15-minute break just to get through the crowd to the toilet.

"As a fully grown adult, I was not in any great fear for my safety but I’d imagine it would’ve been horrifying for children. I heard several audible screams whilst in the concourse at half-time and the proximity to other individuals was uncomfortable to say the least - barely an inch to spare."

South Yorkshire Police have now commented on the situation. A spokesperson said: "While no official reports were made to SYP, we have noted the concerns raised and will be seeking a debrief with the club and Safety Advisory Group to discuss this matter further."

NewcastleWorld is of of a number of outlets who have approached Sheffield Wednesday for comment.