The Shoreham Airshow Crash, A Report. UPDATED

"Leon711" (leon711) 08/23/2015 at 10:25 • Filed to: Shoreham Airshow, Planelopnik

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I thought I’d compile a little report on today’s events after being the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! it on Oppo (as well as being on the scene at the time).

What We Know

A Hawker Hunter T Mk.7 believed to be formerly of the Black Arrows display team, crashed down onto the A27 which runs along the northern tip of the airport killing (at this time) seven, the Pilot has survived the initial impact and was quickly airlifted to hospital where he !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , The incident took place at 13.20 BST when the Hunter, which was the first to set off after the lunch interval took off to start it’s display. The Hunter moved out round over the Adur Valley to begin a loop, when the Hunter reached the bottom of it’s loop it was unable to climb and crashed into the main entrance to the airport (where spectators were waiting to enter the air show) hitting several vehicles in the process.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service sent 10 appliances out in response in addition to Shoreham airports small fleet of specialist appliances, 2 of these will have come from 2 miles away in Shoreham, with likely support from the Hove and Worthing Fire stations along with the retained (staffed by part time firemen) Lancing Fire engine. Two Air Ambulances were dispatched to the scene and were able to land on the road itself)

The last flying Vulcan XH558 was scheduled to appear shortly after the Hunter display, it still came over but instead of performing it’s display did a single flypast, tipping it’s wing as a salute to it’s fallen comrade. Today was the first day of the Two day event and out of respect day two has been cancelled.

The Unknowns

We do not know if there are any more dead than the initial seven as a lot of spectators often line the area local to the airport to get a good look at proceedings if they don’t want to pay the expense of getting in (I myself set up camp on the banks of the River Adur). Spectators often line the road where the Hunter crashed, speed limits are reduced from 70mph down to 40 along this section due to the amount of pedestrians in the area, it is feared that more bodies may be found in the area.

The A27 is the main arterial route along the Southern half of West Sussex and this accident is likely to have a huge impact on the traffic patterns, This incident did take out many traffic lights and may have damaged the road, causing delays to the area for a while. What made matters worse is that the location of the incident is where all the public entered and exits meaning people were stranded due to not being able to leave, once the police set up new exits, The let traffic trickle out slowly as there was already rampant congestion cause by the closure of the A27. It is known that locals were helping people get to hotels and to homes on this hot sunny day, one which I saw unfold on facebook was a call for help for an 83 year old handicapped grandfather who needed to get back to London to take his meds, a local councillor stood up to the plate and drove him from the outskirts of the airport to train station and made herself available to help out anyone in need.

In Summary

The Pilot managed to survive the crash without ejecting, he is still alive but in a bad way, Seven confirmed deaths, no news on who.

UPDATED 18.03 BST , via a press conference from Sussex Police on BBC news. Two victims named as Matthew Grimstone, a 23 year old player for local football team Worthing United FC and Matt Jones a 24 year old personal trainer. The pilot Andy Hill, is still in a critical condition. The police believe 11 may have died but cannot confirm yet, after removal of the wreckage tomorrow it is anticipated more bodies may be found. A third victim has been named as Jacob Schilt, 23 also of Worthing United FC, was travelling with Matthew Grimstone to play a game for their team.

Personal Notes

I am deeply saddened by this, I mean I feel lucky it didn’t come down where I was situated but I just feel awful about it, after 45 minutes after the event me and my Fiancée went home, when we got back we saw a report of 12 total casualties, 10 minor injuries treated on site and two serious one of which was life threatening. There was a hope that no one was to have died. Then the report came in, 7 dead. I was distraught. I have such a deep connection with the airport, I went to college on a campus situated on the airport, from age 14 as a deadbeat kid with no future to sticking with education until receiving my degree at 21 and I’d become passionate about the place. It’s really quite hard on me that this has happened, not only at a place and event I love but the crash site is on my commute to work. I was hanging out with a buddy this morning before going there, he passed through there 10 minutes before the incident, I’m lucky to have not (knowingly) lost any one I know today but it was close. It puts things into perspective.

(image courtesy of the Shoreham Herald)

desertdog5051 > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 18:01

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Airshow accidents are never good things. They usually result in a lot of loss.

Sorry to hear about your countrys tragic end to a normally spectacular weekend. You being British, I know you folks will keep that stiff upper lip.

Sorry for your loss.

Leon711 > desertdog5051 08/22/2015 at 18:04

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this is the third crash in a decade at the airshow, one where a glider had a very hard landing, pilot was roughed up but ok, one where a Hawker Hurricane was put down in the hills following a struggle by the pilot to put it down away form spectators, the pilot died but this is the first where spectators have become involved. Thank you for your kind words.

Tareim - V8 powered > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 18:09

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First the crash at CarFest North, now this one... I can imagine things are going to change for future air shows, such a tragic accident, I hope there is no more dead than the 7 already confirmed

Must of been a harrowing experience for those in front and behind the crash on the main road

$kaycog > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 18:12

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That is horrific. I can’t imagine how you felt being there. I’m so sorry for this tragic accident.

Leon711 > Tareim - V8 powered 08/22/2015 at 18:14

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You’re not wrong, I can only speculate at the cause but it sorta sounded like his engine gave out, but he was also too low. I didn’t want to post the gruesome video but it’s not nice, it’s on the FP article though.

facw > desertdog5051 08/22/2015 at 18:16

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Yeah, so little margin for error and so many people around. The description of this one reminds me of this:

Luckily no one was badly hurt there, but it’s obvious it easily could have been a huge disaster, as opposed to a waste of an F-16.

Leon711 > $kaycog 08/22/2015 at 18:19

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Thanks, I’m sad it happened, but thankful it wasn’t even worse, if you’ve seen the FP article they embedded a couple of videos that I didn’t want to post myself, it’s a miracle it’s only seven deaths if you consider where it hit. To put a Ford GT twist on it, the Gearbox from the previous GT was designed (and built I think) at Ricardo which was maybe 200 yards from the crash site, they also built the McLaren road car engines there, there were people working there today too.

$kaycog > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 18:23

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That’s very interesting about the gearbox being built so near there. Thanks for sharing that.

Tareim - V8 powered > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 18:32

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I also agree he was too low (even without any experience in the field), it was my first thought when I saw him start that maneuver that surely he was too low and was never going to end well

Leon711 > Tareim - V8 powered 08/22/2015 at 18:34

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It probably didn’t help that it was so early in the display when he was carrying the most fuel.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Tareim - V8 powered 08/22/2015 at 18:37

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My brother was at carfest. If he hadn’t called to tell us what happened before it hit the news there’s have been a lot of panic.

I can’t believe this has happened again so soon and with more loss. Very sad.

Tareim - V8 powered > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 08/22/2015 at 18:39

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I’m really surprised that they are allowed to do this type of thing near such a busy main road due to tragedies like this

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Tareim - V8 powered 08/22/2015 at 18:43

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I am too. I imagine there'll be some big changes after this though.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 20:01

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Wow, very sorry to hear. My hearts out to all involved.

JasonStern911 > Leon711 08/22/2015 at 21:14

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reno_Air_…

This happened close to me, which is crazy because I remember watching the Reno Air Races as a school event. It’s sad, because events like this make you question why we have air races, but there will be no advancements in these fields without captivating the minds of children.

Leon711 > JasonStern911 08/23/2015 at 03:01

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Very True, I know over the coming days, weeks and years people will call for the Airshow to be cancelled but it is an important part of British History, the schedules we due to have Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary re-enactments. It was supposed to be the last appearance of the Vulcan bomber at Shoreham (on both days, it turned up shortly after the crash a performed a solemn single flypast, which will be my finally memory of seeing as Vulcan flying in person). Today, (sunday) was also going to have the The Eurofighter do it’s thing over the airshow, it’s a great spectacle, it’s noise dominates everything for miles and it’s agility defies belief.

Another important part of the Airshow is that it’s non profit, support the Royal Air Forces Association, a charity that supports veterans. It must continue to be an event, but dependent on the findings of the investigation, changes need to be made.

I can only commend the speed and ability of the local emergency services, The speed in which Police, Fire Service and Ambulance service arrived considering the distances and traffic involved was astonishing.

SteveLehto > Leon711 08/23/2015 at 12:12

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Thanks for the report. Glad to hear you are okay but saddened at the loss all the same.

Leon711 > SteveLehto 08/23/2015 at 12:54

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Thanks Steve, the knock on effects on the community are gonna be huge over the next few days as people go to work, that stretch of A27 carries over 25000 cars a day and the diversion routes are both single lane roads one diversion is through the towns and another through the countryside. I gotta make the choice of wait in traffic for maybe multiple hours to travel 5 miles to work, take the longer country route for 20 miles or take the train. Whichever I choose it’s not gonna be fun. This little town is gonna be choked by traffic and possibly grieving for more than 11 people once the wreckage is removed. It’s a sobering experience.

Berang > Leon711 08/23/2015 at 14:07

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I saw the photo below and am astonished and thankful there weren’t more deaths and injuries. With that crowd as close to the crash site and that traffic present it could have been much worse. I also feel strongly for those who witnessed the event, and I hope they have access to help should they need it to deal with what they saw.

Leon711 > Berang 08/23/2015 at 14:36

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Well it’s up to 11 deaths now with the potential for more. I’m holding up well but my Fiancée isn’t a strong emotionally as me, it’s hard for her. The spectators in that picture would only been 100-150 yards from impact. The tragedy at the swiss air show is making this another dark weekend for airshows.