I was there aged 19, I remember travelling up there in my mates bright orange skoda that overheated on the M62. Its engine was in the back and the steam started pouring through the vents into the car - we thought it was smoke and shit ourselves fighting each other to get out onto the hard shoulder. All the lads passing by laughing at my mates shit car - one tranny van stopping and suggesting we "leave that peice of shit there and get in with them!" We didnt and we got it started.
I was on my own in the stand above the Leppings Lane, my mates were in there with one of the lads 12 year old cousins at his first away game. I stood on my seat, the very back row and watched it all unfold - I saw it, still do in my mind clear as a bell but it never seems real - I waited talking to some lad dont know who he was but we formed a bond, I remember him distinctly - shook hands after we left the stadium but I remember him clear as day - walked back up to the car - all the cars had doors open, radio on, 5, 10, 20, 40, 70 the toll rising all the time as i walked back up the hill.
Got to the car my mates were there the young cousin wasnt, one of the lads had passed out in the crush but had been dragged out - the people who lived in the road came out asked us in to use the phones to tell our families we were safe. Got through to my dad breaking his heart down the phone. We went of to the hospitals to find the young lad, crowds of people there, Drs & Nurses emerging from little rooms "aged about 20, blue jeans, white t shirt brown hair?" grown men re emerging from those rooms shattered, grief stricken.
We found the young lad at the 2nd hospital, injured but safe, we stayed till his mum and dad arrived then returned down the M62 and home.
You know if anyone asks me about it now I still say it didn't effect me - but I wonder why I say that as whenever I do actually discuss it, it breaks me up everytime?
Anyway sorry if this is in the wrong place but the thread has brought it back again.
