TRIBUTES have been paid to the '97th Hillsborough victim' who died while wracked with guilt for selling a ticket to a friend who died in the tragedy.

Stephen Whittle, of Atherton, was hit by a train in February 2011 between Daisy Hill station in Westhoughton and Hag Fold Station in Atherton.

The inquest into his death at Bolton Coroner's Court heard the Liverpool fan never let on his to family how deeply affected he had been by the disaster at Sheffield Wednesday's ground in April 1989.

It heard the 50-year-old had to work on the day of the match and never forgave himself for selling his spare FA Cup semi-final seat to his pal who perished in the crush.

Coroner Jennifer Leeming said at the time Mr Whittle had died from multiple injuries consistent with being struck by a train.

Her narrative verdict said: "He took his own life whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed by his suffering from diagnosed depressive illness.

"That awful tragic event that happened so long ago is still reaching out and touching people.

"Especially for a man who was so keen on football, it was a big part of his life and to have that awful event associated with such a pleasure must have been troubling as the years went on."

Mr Whittle's friend, who has never been identified, was one of the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Each death was declared an unlawful killing on Tuesday by the Hillsborough inquest jury following an unprecedented two years of evidence.

Facebook fan group Liverpool Updates posted a tribute to Mr Whittle to say: "Spare a thought for this man, Stephen Whittle, and his family today, the 97th Hillsborough Victim as he's known.

"He sold his ticket on that day to his mate who died in the crush.

"The other year he committed suicide throwing himself under a train.

"He left £61,000 to the Hillsborough memorial trust.

"Hopefully somewhere he now rests in peace too."

Leigh MP and shadow home secretary Andy Burnham, who campaigned for justice with those caught up in the disaster, said: "The story of Stephen Whittle, of Atherton, is one of the saddest I have heard and shows that the human cost goes on and on."

Ramsbottom greengrocer Barry Glover was among the 96 Liverpool supporters who died as a result of the tragedy on April 15, 1989, after a crush during an FA Cup semi-final match in the Sheffield Wednesday stadium.

Mr Glover, who was 27 when he died, was a greengrocer and worked at his father’s family business in Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom.

Having travelled to the match with his father George and three friends, he took his place in the Leppings Lane End and was crushed during the tragedy.