First published in The Times, April 17, 1989

The Prime Minister visited shocked and injured survivors of the Hillsborough tragedy in Sheffield's hospitals yesterday and spoke of the stories she had been told of ``tremendous heroic courage'' in the midst of the tragedy. She was clearly moved after spending more than an hour at the Northern General Hospital and almost two hours at the Royal Hallamshire in the city where more than 50 of the survivors are being treated.

Mrs Margaret Thatcher, accompanied by Mr Douglas Hurd, the Home Secretary, spoke emotionally after her visit to the Royal Hallamshire, where she met the parents of two teenaged boys who are in intensive care. She also spoke to another boy, aged 16, who helped give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to several other victims before he himself fainted.

Mrs Thatcher said: ``I have been listening to them and it is good for some of them to talk. Some who are patients in this hospital gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before they were overcome by unconsciousness. We have seen a special constable who, although injured, was one of those who helped get people out. It is a story in the midst of tragedy of tremendous heroic courage.''

Tragedy on the terraces

• 'Mayhem' after gate was opened

• 'We watched them die, innocent figures, lying prostrate and crushed on the green grass'

• Doctors attack 'total chaos' of rescue effort

Police in 'open gate' inquiry

• The man who opened the gate

• Force condemned for failing to avert turnstile disaster

• Senior officers were not willing to concede fault

Mother tells of losing husband and son as she witnessed crush on TV

• Names of the supporters who died are released

• Liverpool welcomes vindication of fans' behaviour

• Thatcher hears of heroic courage

Anfield Kop becomes silent focus of city's mourning

• Thousands at requiem mass as Liverpool mourns deaths

• Sombre lessons soccer failed to learn

Mrs Thatcher, who went into the intensive care unit at both hospitals after visiting the Hillsborough ground, praised the remarkable efforts of doctors, nurses, student nurses auxiliary workers and volunteers. Injured and shocked survivors told the Prime Minister yesterday of their grim fight for life.

Mr John Davies, aged 33, rom Wrexham, north Wales, who has broken ribs and severe bruising, said that within seconds of the crush tightening round him he found himself forced up against the perimeter fence. ``I tried to make my way to an open gate but just as I was about to get there the man in front collapsed. I fell over him and everyone fell on me and I was stuck. We were shouting out `Get us out'. But then the lad underneath me just went. I do not think he made it. A policewoman dragged me out. It was sheer bedlam.''

Messages of sympathy for the victims and families of the tragedy yesterday poured in from around the world. President Bush sent his deepest ``personal condolences'' in a message to Mrs Thatcher, and Pope John Paul said that he was ``profoundly grieved by the loss of lives and injuries''. In France, President Mitterrand said he was deeply moved by the tragedy and M Michel Rocard, the prime minister, sent condolences.