Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg, a hero of the Munich air disaster, has died at the age of 87.
His death was announced by the Harry Gregg Foundation on Monday morning.
Gregg was a survivor of the air disaster on February 6, 1958, in which 23 people were killed, and twice returned to the burning fuselage to drag team-mates and strangers to safety.
He rescued United team-mates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet from the BEA Flight 609, as well as a 20-month old baby and her badly injured, pregnant mother.
"It is with great sorrow that we inform of the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, OBE," his foundation said in a statement posted on Facebook.
"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.
"Details of his funeral arrangement will be issued in the next few days.
"We would ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this difficult time. Never to be forgotten!"
Gregg became the world's most expensive keeper when United, and Sir Matt Busby, shelled out £23,000 in 1957 and was voted the best at the World Cup a year later.
He spent nine years with the Red Devils and, although he never won a medal with the club, injury having ruled him out of the 1963 FA Cup final and restricted his appearances in two title-winning campaigns, an unforgettable career was forged.
In all he played 247 times for United, including, incredibly, a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday just 13 days after the Munich tragedy.
"It is with deepest sadness that we have learned of the passing of former player Harry Gregg OBE," the club said on Monday.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club go out to Harry's family and friends."
He eventually left Old Trafford for the briefest of stopovers at Stoke and a underwhelming managerial career followed, with spells in charge of Shrewsbury, Swansea, Crewe and Carlisle.
Gregg played 25 times for Northern Ireland.
Our thoughts go out to the family of Harry Gregg this morning after the passing of the former player and manager aged 87.
— EFL (@EFL) February 17, 2020
😇❤️ pic.twitter.com/0OLJjTKCCZ
It is with deepest sadness that we have learned of the passing of former player Harry Gregg OBE. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club go out to Harry’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5kjlpn5Wqm
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 17, 2020
Harry Gregg was inducted into the #DRFC Hall Of Fame in 2018. We sent a member of staff to his home in Northern Ireland to present him with his certificate - you can watch the full interview on the club's YouTube channel now. #IRWThttps://t.co/sppq485FQ2 https://t.co/t7dKnuVZMB
— Doncaster Rovers FC (@drfc_official) February 17, 2020
💚 A legend of the game and a brave, selfless giant of a man. RIP, Harry Gregg #GAWA pic.twitter.com/uAfy2OcnYc
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) February 17, 2020
Harry Gregg RIP ❤️🙏
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) February 17, 2020
He was the Hero of Munich - returning to the plane repeatedly to help others in what he described as a ‘spur of the moment’ action. Thoughts with the family and friends of former manager Harry Gregg this morning. pic.twitter.com/7XqWIQnwnw
— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) February 17, 2020
Harry Gregg
— Norman Whiteside (@NormanWhiteside) February 17, 2020
what a man
we love you Sir
RIP :)
As a 15 year old boy Harry came to visit me in hospital in Manchester to make sure I was in the right hands of Manchester United:)
— Norman Whiteside (@NormanWhiteside) February 17, 2020
What a man :) RIP
Legend, hero, the epitome of bravery. Harry Gregg pulled Bobby Charlton, Dennis Viollet, a mother & baby (Vera and Vesna Lukic) from the burning plane at Munich. He tended to the badly injured Matt Busby. Gregg was a great man and keeper. Thoughts with his family and friends. RIP https://t.co/2mSvRleH55
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 17, 2020
A few months ago, I had the privilege of visiting Harry Gregg at his home, he showed me his astonishing collection of memorabilia. We sat in his front room and I listened to Harry’s tales, some sad, many of them joyous. I was blessed that day.
— Brian McClair (@BrianMcClair13) February 17, 2020
Deepest condolences to his family.
Harry Gregg, who was voted the 1958 #WorldCup's best goalkeeper, has died at the age of 87.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 17, 2020
A @NorthernIreland icon, Gregg is also a legend at @ManUtd and will be forever remembered for the heroism that saved several lives at the Munich Air Disaster.
Rest in peace, Harry. pic.twitter.com/GtIWk69wHU
We often refer to sports stars as heroes. A natural instinct to a burning aeroplane might be to run away but at Munich Harry Gregg went back in to save not only team-mates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet but Mrs Lukic, who was pregnant and her young daughter. That's a hero. pic.twitter.com/b03C3eDqkg
— Christopher Beesley (@CBeesleyEcho) February 17, 2020
The club are sad to hear the passing of former manager and survivor of the Munich air disaster, Harry Gregg this morning.
— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsweb) February 17, 2020
May you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/H1EEV8d855
🌹 Everyone at the club is saddened by the death of former #Swans manager Harry Gregg.
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) February 17, 2020
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RvMtRUouXv
Had the pleasure of working with Harry at Swindon Town in 1985 RIP Harry Gregg OBE https://t.co/VaTTMguuT1
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) February 17, 2020
“My teammates and fellow survivors Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes were the first to meet the challenge and show the way. They did it with courage and determination and their example taught me one of the greatest lessons I would ever learn.” Bobby Charlton on Gregg at Munich. RIP
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) February 17, 2020