Exclusive: Hillsborough survivor reunited with the 'hero' who saved him

John McMahon (right) has been reunited with Joe Smith (left) 27 years after he saved him at Hillsborough Credit: ITV Granada Reports

A Hillsborough survivor has finally met the man who pulled him from the crush and saved his life 27 years ago, in an emotional reunion at Anfield.

Joe Smith was just eight-years-old when he was pulled from the pens by John McMahon from Connah's Quay, who lifted him onto his shoulders to keep him safe.

He launched an online appeal to find John when previously-unseen footage of his saviour carrying him to safety was broadcast during a TV documentary on the tragedy, which left 96 people dead.

ITV Granada Reports reunited the pair at Anfield, where they visited the club's Hillsborough Memorial to pay their respects to those less fortunate than them.

John revealed that he had spotted Joe struggling in the overcrowded pen, and had reached out to pull him to safety, before helping him find his family.

Describing John as a "hero", Joe said he was in "shock" at finally meeting the man to whom he owed his life - a man who had, until now, remained a stranger.

John rejected the word 'hero', and said he was "just one of thousands" of Liverpool fans who did exactly what he had done on that day.

Previously unseen footage showed John carrying Joe from the pen on his shoulders Credit: ITV Granada Reports

"It was really just doing what other people around me were doing," he added.

"You could see Joe was not in a good state and he needed to get out as fast as he could. It was just something that I did instinctively... The noise, the pressure on people. He just had to get out."

After making sure Joe was okay, he revealed, he went back in to help a number of others still trapped in the pen.

"I was one of thousands of people doing the same thing," he said.