Air show crash death toll rises

The plane exploded into a fireball as it fell into moving traffic.

Initially police were aware of seven people dying in the crash, including Jacob Schilt, from Brighton, and his Worthing United FC team-mate Matthew Grimstone, 23.

The pilot, identified as former British Airways captain Andy Hill, remained in critical condition.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry it is “quite possible” that there are still more fatalities as investigators continue to work at the site to recover bodies.

A crane will be used tomorrow to remove the plane wreckage.

“And he flew straight into the ground either on or very close to the A27, which runs past the airport”, Jones said.

He added: “The scene of the incident is a large one, extending around 400 yards along the A27 and spilling off to the sides and just partly onto the airfield itself”.

There is still an exclusion zone around the crash site for now, as the fuel still inside the plane poses a risk. All of those who died are thought to have been on the road.

The show featured vintage military aircraft and was put on by the Royal Air Forces Association.

The road was also badly damaged in need of fix, he said.

“Emergency services have declared a major incident and a number of helicopters have been deployed to the scene to evacuate casualties to hospital”, said Sussex Police.

“There will be a minute examination of this machine by the Air Accident Investigation Branch and of people’s films and videos that they should hand in to the police”. It is not known if any members of a wedding party were among the victims.

Dozens of bunches of flowers, yellow bouquets, roses and sunflowers, lined the railings of a nearby footbridge. “However, we do not expect that figure to be greater than 20, probably fewer”, he said. Shoreham grieves for you and with you.

Among those killed was personal trainer Matt Jones from Littlehampton in the UK, who had been living in Shepparton. I also want to offer my heartfelt thanks to health workers who fought to save lives and help the injured and our own social service’s team who have provided invaluable support to the affected families.

Anne Bentley wrote: “Shine bright buddy, you will be so so missed by everyone”.