A Birmingham man calls for an investigation into “failures” over football match deaths

The brother of a West Bromwich Albion fan who died after falling ill during a game at Sheffield Wednesday's ground has called for a full investigation into the club's “failures” and “lack of safety protocols”.

Baggies season ticket holder Mark Townsend, 57, suffered a medical emergency in the stands during the game at Hillsborough on September 28.

Speaking to the BBC, his brother Steve Townsend criticized the club for not stopping play during the incident, claiming staff were not adequately trained to deal with the emergency.

Sheffield Wednesday have been contacted for comment.

While the emergency was unfolding, Mr Townsend, from Harborne, unknowingly watched on television as a commentator announced that there was a commotion in the away section of the stadium.

Within minutes, he received a devastating call from his son telling him that his brother had collapsed and was no longer breathing.

As he listened on the phone, he heard other fans attempting CPR for about 10 minutes before paramedics arrived at the scene.

“I could hear the commotion in the background, people shouting to the stewards to get help, shouting that it was urgent,” he recalled.

The avid football fan was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later.

Mr Townsend is not the only one with concerns West Bromwich fans have at the game raised the question of why it wasn't stopped, and how long it took for medical teams to reach Mark.

He is now calling for coroners to hold a full hearing into his brother's death and launch an investigation into how Sheffield Wednesday handled it.

He said: “In a place like Hillsborough, which is synonymous with tragedy, you would think it would be one of the safest places in the country, but it turns out that's actually not the case.”

“There is a sad lack of duty of care towards fans.

“I would like to see an investigation into the failings, whether in staff, facilities or protocols. This shouldn't happen when you pay so much money to watch a football game – you shouldn't do that. Be afraid for your life.

“There should be defibrillators appropriate to the size of the site, available and well marked.

“It sounds like the staff had no first aid training. It took an off-duty paramedic, an off-duty doctor and someone who had first aid training to be the first port of call, and that shouldn’t be the case.”

The English Football League has previously reassured fans that clubs have matchday medical plans in place.

A spokesman said: “While the suspension of play may sometimes seem like the appropriate measure, it raises further security (and privacy) issues in relation to policing, mass movements, media, etc.”

“Therefore, the game should continue unless the welfare of the fan in question is specifically compromised by the continuation of the game.”

After the death, West Brom players wore black armbands for their game against Middlesbrough on Tuesday and applauded in the 57th minute.

A fundraiser set up by a Sheffield Wednesday fan for Mr Townsend's family has raised more than £2,300.

Wednesday Week podcaster Ash Rogers said supporters of both teams had come together to donate.