Shoreham Airshow called off `in respect` to disaster`s 11 victims
A national landmark airshow where an accident claimed the lives of 11 men including a former police officer has been cancelled this year.
A national landmark airshow where an accident claimed the lives of 11 men including a former police officer has been cancelled this year.
The organisers of Shoreham Airshow said the decision to cancel the 2016 event had been made “primarily out of respect” for the victims` families of the crash when a Hawker Hunter jet plummeted on to the A27 during an ill-fated loop-the-loop on August 22 last year.
However airshow director Colin Baker said they would now start to prepare for the 2017 event to go ahead and a final decision will be made before the end of this year.
Retired Hampshire Constabulary officer Maurice Abrahams, 76, was the oldest of those killed in the disaster.
Mr Abrahams, who also served in the Grenadier Guards and the Parachute Regiment, had spent the last 20 years chauffeuring hundreds of brides to the altar for the biggest day of their lives.
On his way to collect bride Rebecca Sheen he was killed when his Daimler wedding car was hit by the stricken jet as he waited at the Sussex Pad traffic lights.
His daughter Lizzie Abrahams said she would never be able to attend a future Shoreham Airshow and still can not bring herself to drive along that section of the A27.
She said: I think it is the right decision to cancel the airshow this year. It would be too soon and who could have a nice day out remembering that?
As far as next year goes potentially it could work if the show was held over the sea and not over houses or the road.
They should never have been allowed to do acrobatics over a built-up area.
The Red Arrows had always refused to appear at Shoreham because it wasnt safe. If professional pilots of that calibre have taken that decision then I dont think anyone should have been flying over that road.”
The Civil Aviation Authority may also review its airshow regulations after the conclusion of the investigation into the crash, a spokesperson said.
He said the Shoreham Airshow may still take place in 2017.
A spokesman for Shoreham Airshow Ltd said: “We understand that this decision may be disappointing for many.
“When and if it is appropriate to do so, we will explore the possibility of a 2017 airshow. In the meantime, we continue to be fully committed to assisting the Air Accidents Investigation Branch with their ongoing inquiry.
An interim report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the Hawker Hunter had expired ejector seat parts and an out-of-date technical manual.
It also said the seats were a “significant hazard” that delayed rescue teams until they were made safe.
The plane`s pilot Andy Hill, who survived the crash, was first interviewed by police in December.
A totally unexpected fall-out from the disaster saw two probationary Sussex Police officers resign last October over deliberate disrespectful behaviour on social media in the aftermath of the air disaster.
The unnamed officers, aged 23 and 24, who were part-way through their two-year probationary period, left the force after a disciplinary hearing found they should be dismissed.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Giles York said the pair were “remorseful” but added their behaviour was “inexplicable” and had caused distress to families of the victims of the crash.
The force said the allegations centred on a video sent online and a subsequent private message to one officer.