Fans describe 'Turkish attack'

Christopher Loftus died in Istanbul in April 2000

Leeds United fans have told how they battled to save the life of a dying man while under attack from rival supporters in Turkey.

Two men tried in vain to resuscitate Christopher Loftus after they saw him lying on the ground in Istanbul.

They were giving evidence on the second day of the inquests into the deaths of Mr Loftus and another Leeds fan, Kevin Speight.

Both were in Turkey for the Uefa Cup semi-final against Galatasaray.

'Organised ambush'

Mark Valentine told the hearing he was among fans who had travelled to Istanbul for the match in April 2000.

He was in the city centre the day before the match and described how he saw a group of about 50 Turkish people running towards Leeds fans throwing chairs and pieces of wood in an "organised ambush".

Mr Valentine told West Yorkshire coroner David Hinchliff that his attention was drawn to a man lying on the ground with a blood-stained shirt and another man standing near the body holding a knife blade who ran off into the crowd.

He ran to the injured man, who he recognised as Mr Loftus, and started administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but continued to be attacked by Turkish fans.

Chest wound

Peter Hopton was another fan to offer assistance to and told the inquest how he too gave Mr Loftus mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Both witnesses also claimed to have been struck with batons by Turkish police while trying to help Mr Loftus.

A 22-year-old man was jailed in May 2002 for killing Mr Speight, who was 40 and from Farsley in Leeds, and 35-year-old Mr Loftus who lived in Burmantofts, Leeds.

Last year, an appeal court overturned his sentence and ordered a retrial.