Harry Gregg Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper and survivor of the Munich air crash recalls the disaster.
On 6 February 1958 British European Airways flight 609 crashed while attempting take-off at Munich-Riem Airport. Twenty-three people died as a result of the air crash, including eight Manchester United players, known as the Busby Babes after their manager Matt Busby who survived the crash.
Among the dead were players Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan, as well as Manchester United staff Bert Whalley, Tom Curry and Walter Crickmer.
There were eight journalists killed in the crash: Alf Clarke, Eric Thompson, Donny Davies, Frank Swift, George Follows, Henry Rose, Tom Jackson and Archie Ledbrooke. Captain Kenneth Rayment and Cabin Steward Tom Cable, along with other passengers Bela Miklos and Willie Satinoff were also among the dead.
Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who survived the flight, speaks to Des Cahill on the 40th anniversary of the disaster about the build-up to the crash.
Harry describes the failed attempts at take-off, where various people were sitting and the general atmosphere among the passengers.
We started off down the runway and I watched the wheels intently and I watched places we hadn't been before and I watched and I watched the rods extend, lift, and I watched us take off. And then it was the most unmerciful crash and nobody can describe it. And there was no human emotions and there was no cries from anyone at all. I think it must have been just total shock thinking it never happens to me.
Broadcast on 'The Gay Byrne Show' on 6 February 1998. The reporter is Des Cahill.
