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THE PILOT OF a jet which crashed at an airshow in England killing 11 men has said he is “truly sorry” for the part played in their deaths after he was today found not guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.
In August 2015, aerobatic stunt flyer Andrew Hill’s vintage Hawker Hunter military jet failed to pull up in time after a loop manoeuvre and ploughed through cars on a busy road during the Shoreham Airshow, in West Sussex, England.
The crash at the Shoreham Airshow on the southeast English coast created two fireballs that sent thick, black smoke billowing into the sky.
A total of 11 people died as a result. Hill survived the crash. He suffered head injuries and was placed in an induced coma before being released from hospital a month later.
Charges were later brought against Hill for the incident.
Today, a jury acquitted him of the charge of manslaughter by gross negligence. He was also acquitted of negligently or recklessly endangering the safety of an aircraft.
In a statement outside the courthouse today, Hill listed the names of the people who had died and referenced others who were injured in the incident.
“I am truly sorry for the part I played in their deaths and it is they I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said.
“No justice”
Following the verdict, Sue and Phil Grimstone – the parents of Matthew who died in the crash – released a statement,
They said that there “seems to be no justice for our son Matthew and all 11 men who died in such tragic circumstances”.
They called into the question the safety of all aerobatic air displays “when there is no doubt concerning any pilot’s ability to avoid becoming cognitively impaired” when performing certain maneuvers.
“Matthew had no interest in air shows, he could not have cared less. Knowing he died because an aircraft was being flown for fun, for the entertainment of others makes it even harder to bear,” the parents said.
In another statement, Sarah Stewart, a partner at Stewarts, who represent many of the bereaved families called for a wider investigation into the crash, saying:
“It is now almost four years since the Shoreham Airshow disaster killed 11 innocent men. The bereaved families have had to painfully re-live the circumstances of their loved ones’ death again and again,” she said.
The families want answers and a verdict will go some way towards that. But it is only one part of the jigsaw
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Why the hell are they putting a massive bridge down such a narrow street?
Its common practice now in congested areas of the world it simply gets rid of T – junctions Buy allowing traffic to flow over other crossing traffic.
Because they can.
The bigger question is why didn’t they close off the area during construction?!
Not this time.
It’s common practice for 3rd. world countries to put up these ‘jerry built’ constructions, like many of the shit housing developments here.
The obvious fault is the crumby Steel that was used. It’s twisted and crumpled like paper. Probably the Steel workers were getting kickbacks…. The weight of the poured concrete was just too much.
Insufficient falsework I’d say.
They should bring in the Chinese.
The Chinese know how to build sturdy structures ever since they built the Great Wall.
The Great Wall of China still stands proud even after thousands of years of earthquakes.
.
Dublin Cowboy Builders please take note.
I’ve been to India many times. I doubt there are any building regulations. If I want build a small extension in the uk there are hoops to jump through. It is checked by the council, I have to make changes, meet standards, resubmit plans etc…it’s frustrating but when you see stories like this perhaps those strict regulations are there for very good reason. Getting things done cheap might help rapid progress but it has consequences.
“We completed nearly 70% without mishap” – gold stars all around so! Talk about a glass half full attitude.
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