Former Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who survived the 1958 Munich air crash, has died aged 87.
Gregg was often referred to as the ‘Hero of Munich’ after pulling passengers free from the burning wreckage.
The Northern Irishman had signed for United just two months before the tragedy, in which 23 people died.
“Harry passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family,” his foundation said on Monday.
Gregg was a member of Sir Matt Busby’s team of talented young players, who were nicknamed the Busby Babes.
He was signed by United in December 1957 for £23,000 – a then world record fee for a goalkeeper.
On 6 February 1958, the plane carrying the team back from Belgrade crashed in a blizzard after refuelling at Munich airport.
Twenty-three people died – eight players, eight newspaper journalists and seven members of backroom staff.
Two weeks later, Gregg kept a clean sheet as Manchester United put Sheffield Wednesday out of the FA Cup.
The goalkeeper was determined that the tragic event would not define his career, or indeed his life.
‘Hero of Munich’
Gregg was born on 27 October 1932 in the County Londonderry village of Tobermore.
His family moved to Coleraine and he excelled with his hometown club after starting his career at Windsor Park Swifts, the reserve team of Linfield.
Gregg secured a cross-channel move to Doncaster Rovers at the age of 18 before joining Manchester United in December 1957 for £23,000, at the time a world record fee for a goalkeeper.
The ‘Busby Babes’ were returning from a European Cup game when the airplane they were travelling crashed while attempting to take off on the slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport on 6 February 1958.
“There was a sudden crash and debris began bombarding me on all sides,” said Gregg.
“One second it was light, the next dark. There were no screams, no human sounds, only the terrible tearing of metal. Sparks burst all around.”
Gregg escaped from the burning wreckage but went back in and brought Vera Lukic, the pregnant wife of a Yugoslav diplomat, and her young daughter, Vesna, to safety.
