A former police inspector broke down in court as he recalled working on the day of the Hillsborough disaster.

Stephen Ellis was on duty outside the stadium on 15 April 1989, when 96 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush on a terrace inside.

On the day, he was tasked with escorting Liverpool fans, arriving on a specially chartered "Football Special" train to the ground, where their team was set to play in the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

By 2.45pm, a huge crowd had built up amidst "bloody chaos" outside the ground, the jury at Preston Crown Court has previously heard, with more of the 24,000 Liverpool fans arriving for kick-off.

With mounted police and foot patrols were unable to manage the crowds, Mr Ellis said that he knelt on top of a police Land Rover to speak to fans, shouting through a loud speaker.

Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Hillsborough disaster: in pictures The overcrowding at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Supporters are crushed against the barrier as disaster strikes before the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Severe overcrowding resulted in 96 Liverpool fans losing their lives PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Advertising boards which were used as stretchers, are piled up following the overcrowding at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures A young Liverpool fan sat pitch side, following the events of the Hillsborough disaster, 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Liverpool memorial service was attended by 3,000 people PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Liverpool footballer Dalglish and his wife Marina at the memorial service in the catholic Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool, in memory of those killed in the Hillsborough disaster, 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Floral tributes are left by the goal at Hillsborough, April 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures John Aldridge laying a floral tribute, Anfield, 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures A woman being comforted as she kneels by floral tributes at the gate of the Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield, the morning after ninety six Liverpool fans died from injuries suffered in the fatal crush at the ground PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Former chief superintendent David Duckenfield in 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher tours Hillsborough stadium with David Duckenfield (on her left) after the Hillsborough football disaster Rex Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Fans gathering at Anfield for a ceremony of remembrance following the Hillsborough disaster on 22 April 1989 PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Diana Princess of Wales talks to Liverpool fan and Hillsborough survivor Ian Clarke, 16 in Sheffield Hospital PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Sadness engulfs Anfield and the Kop Stand as many hundreds of thousands of tributes are laid in memory of the 96 people who died at Hillsborough Stadium on 15 April 1989 at the FA Cup Semi Final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish watches in anguish as dead and injured Liverpool fans are carried away in ambulances (Getty Images) Getty Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Supporters pay their respects after the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield in Liverpool, 1989 Getty Hillsborough disaster: in pictures People help soccer fans at Hillsborough stadium after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham forest PA Hillsborough disaster: in pictures Policemen rescue soccer fans at Hillsborough stadium after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham forest Getty Hillsborough disaster: in pictures 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster

"It was to stop pushing, move back, telling them people are getting crushed at the front, please move back, stop being anxious, anything I could think of," he said. "I may have said that we are delaying kick-off, albeit I had no instructions.

"People were shouting: 'Get it delayed'. So I told them what they wanted to hear to calm the situation."

At 2.52pm, the largest exit gate was opened and more fans entered the ground, but over the next few minutes fans in pens three and four behind the goal were crushed to death and the match was abandoned.

Mr Ellis became distressed as he recounted the details of the day's events. The former inspector's voice broke and he had to compose himself during his testimony.

"This part upsets me because I was so concerned for the safety of people in front of Leppings Lane and I had been shouting over this speaker system for 20 minutes, coughing every 30 seconds because I was shouting so loud," he said. "Witnessing things in front of me, that I was seriously concerned and then what seemed like seconds, I looked again and there was just about five metres of spectators in front of the turnstiles.

"I had a huge sense of relief, but where have they gone? They went in there quick..."

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

David Duckenfield, the match commander who the prosecution alleges bore ultimate responsibility, is accused of "extraordinary failings" in not monitoring the overcrowding in the central pens, not blocking the tunnel so no more fans could get into the central pens, and not ensuring supporters were directed away from the pens behind the goal to less crowded areas.

The 74-year-old denies the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans.

Graham Mackrell, former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, also denies health and safety offences.