FOUR victims from Warrington lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

Ninety-six football fans were killed on April 15, 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Dad-of-one David Benson, aged 22, of Hall Nook, Penketh, could have avoided the tragedy that day but for a cruel twist of fate.

Mum Gloria said: “David was football mad. He was outgoing and had loads of friends. He lived for his work and his football.

“He went to Hillsborough with the boy next door, they had a ticket each, one for the stand and one for the Leppings Lane.

“They tossed for it and David got the terrace ticket.

“Initially, losing him was a nightmare, but as the years go by, things get a little bit easier.

“We have lots of happy memories. We had a caravan in North Wales which we all used to go to when the boys were growing up, but it was difficult to go back after Hillsborough.”

David went to school in Halewood and at the time of the tragedy was working in the timber trade in Widnes.

Today he would have been a grandad as his daughter Kirsty, then aged two, has had a baby boy named Cody David.

David has a twin brother, Paul, and dad, Brian.

Colin Ashcroft, of Strawberry Close, Locking Stumps, was 19-years-old when he died at Hillsborough.

A former special needs school pupil, he became a gardener at Padgate College.

His mum Janet now lives in Somerset after re-marrying in 2004.

She said: “Colin actually used to be a Manchester United fan, but they had a bad season one year, so he swapped allegiances.

“He was quite charming and got on well with people.

“Sometimes Hillsborough feels like it was only yesterday.

“The acute pain eases off but Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries can be difficult.

“I would have been happier if the people who were responsible for what happened had just said sorry at the time.”

Eric Hughes, aged 42, was living at Barmouth Close in Callands when he died at Hillsborough.

His wife Pat Hughes said: “My husband Eric George Hughes is on the right in this photo.

“The photo is of happier times with his friends who were with him at Hillsborough. They returned home without him and life has never been the same.

“I lost the love of my life and they lost a good friend. I will always miss him.”


Click here to read about 19-year-old Ian ‘Ronnie’ Whelan, of Duckworth Grove, Padgate.


Click here to view a timeline of how the tragic events of Hillsborough unfolded

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