Sussex Police release pictures of Shoreham air crash scene
Police have released pictures from the scene of the Shoreham air crash – as communities touched by the tragedy prepare to fall silent one week on.
The images show the scenes of devastation left in the aftermath of the Hawker Hunter jet crash which claimed at least 11 lives on the A27 in West Sussex.
Forensic investigators are seen gathering clues on the debris-strewn dual carriageway, while another picture appears to show an external fuel tank lying intact. Sussex Police’s release of the images came as locals prepare to hold a minute’s silence at 1.20pm tomorrow – exactly a week since the crash during the Shoreham Airshow.
And they emerged as the sister of Daniele Polito, a father from Worthing, spoke of her sense of loss in a posting on her Facebook page.
She wrote: “I know many people loved him and will miss him loads, but as long as we keep him in our hearts and memories, he will never really leave us.
“I miss you loads already little (big) bro! Keep making people smile, love you always xxx.”
Sussex Police have not officially confirmed his death.
Among those who will be remembering the victims tomorrow will be local residents who will gather at a wooden tollbridge near the crash site. Hundreds of floral tributes have been laid at the bridge, which has become a focal point for the community to remember those who lost their lives.
Tomorrow night a candlelit vigil will be held at the Adur Ferry Bridge as part of Shoreham’s annual River Fest event this Bank Holiday weekend.
And a minute’s silence will also be observed at the Remembrance in the Park event in Lancing Manor tomorrow, council officials said.
Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin said: “These community events demonstrate the strength of the feelings shared by everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.
“The experience of sharing a minute of silence is so powerful and will be a fitting moment of reflection one week on.”
Worthing Borough Council leader Daniel Humphreys said: “At times such as these, opportunities to come together are more important than ever.”
Grandfather Mark Reeves, 53, who died after parking his motorbike on the outskirts of Shoreham Airshow to take photographs of the planes, is the latest victim to be named.
Four other victims include Worthing United footballers and best friends Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23, who were on their way to play in a match when they were killed.
Personal trainer Matt Jones, 24, also died, along with wedding chauffeur Maurice Abrahams, 76, an ex-soldier who had served in the Parachute Regiment. Motorcyclist Mark Trussler is missing and also feared dead.
The jet crashed with such force that specialists – including forensic archaeologists, anthropologists, odontologists and pathologists – are having to examine DNA, teeth and human remains to discover who was killed.
The disaster rocked the community, which has rallied by donating more than £15,000 to an online appeal, while a local nursery offered free childcare to victims’ families and survivors. The A27 has been closed since the crash, and Sussex Police said it is due to reopen on Bank Holiday Monday.
The plane wreckage has been sent to Farnborough, Hampshire, where Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) investigators will seek to find out what caused the crash. An interim report is due in the next few days.
The jet’s pilot, Andrew Hill, was left fighting for his life after the crash, and has now been moved to a specialist hospital for treatment.
