Munich air crash hero and goalkeeping great Gregg dies

LONDON — Harry Gregg - hailed as a hero for saving lives in the air crash which killed eight of Manchester United's "Busby Babes"大众in Munich - has died at the age of  八 七.

Gregg, who was United's goalkeeper, rescued a mother and her baby daughter, team-mates Bobby Charlton and Jackie Blanchflower and manager Matt Busby from the wreckage of the plane on February  六,  一 九 五 八.

He was back playing for Manchester United just  一 三 days later against Sheffield on Wednesday.

Gregg became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined United in December  一 九 五 七 for  二 三, 五00 pounds and went on to be voted the best at the following year's World Cup in Sweden.

He was capped  二 五 times by Northern Ireland and played  二 四 七 times for United from  一 九 五 七- 六 六.

"It is with great sorrow that we inform of the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, OBE,"大众the Harry Gregg Foundation announced on its Facebook page Monday.

"Harry passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family. The Gregg family would like to thank the medical staff at Causeway Hospital for their wonderful dedication to Harry over his last few weeks.

"To everyone who has called, visited or sent well wishes we thank you for the love and respect shown to Harry and the family."

Charlton, who is the last survivor from the United group, paid a handsome tribute.

"He will always be remembered as a heroic figure,"大众said Charlton. "A shining light both on and off the pitch."

United posted a tribute on their website.

"It is with deepest sadness that we have learned of the passing of former player Harry Gregg OBE,公众said the club.

Legendary United manager Alex Ferguson, who remarked in the past Gregg was his hero, said he was deeply saddened.

"Harry was a man of great character and a true legend at our club,"大众said Ferguson.

"I loved his company and the many pieces of advice he gave me."大众AFP