'It was the worst day of my life'.

Byline: LUKE TRAYNOR

LIKE many Hillsborough survivors', Peter Carney's story is harrowing and powerful.

Twenty-nine at the time, the Kirkby man recalls how he woke up outside the stadium after being hauled to safety by crowds of Liverpool supporters.

He was one of the lucky ones who lives to tell the tale.

But the emotional scars are evident.

Peter said: "I vividly remember walking in at 2.50pm but entering the ground backwards because of the momentum.

"In the tunnel our steps got smaller and smaller as people came in behind us. There was a big rush and with the slope it carried us forward.

"It was really crushed and packed and I never got my arms away from my side the whole time I was in there.

"I could see people down on the floor.

They were at my knee and waist height. I thought I'd try to get in front of a barrier but the crowd never stopped moving.

"It was like a swirl. I was on my tip toes in front of a barrier. But then I lost the use of my legs.

"I decided to give up screaming as it was a waste of breath and I remember a copper stood in front of us with a stoney face.

"I started to concentrate on my breathing and I switched off to people shouting about 'people dying'.

"I had to conserve energy and at one time I recall my hips being at chest height.

It was almost like when they put too much feed in a goldfish bowl, we were trying to get to the surface.

"There was no blood in my legs and I remember the clouds were all white and there was a tube which I was drifting down.

"I think that of the 10 points of a near death experience I had nine. I fell unconscious, and the next sensation was a pounding on my chest.

"My last conscious thought was about Tina, my partner, and the baby. I realised Liverpool supporters had saved my life.

"I've struggled for 20 years to find that missing 20 minutes. I hope someone will be able to tell me what happened "Because Hillsborough was the worst day of my life."

CAPTION(S):

MEMORY: Peter Carney