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PILOT CHARGE

Shoreham Airshow crash pilot WILL be charged over deaths of 11 people in disaster

SHOREHAM air show disaster pilot Andy Hill WILL be charged over the deaths of 11 people, the Crown Prosecution Service has announced.

Hill, 53, of Standon in Hertfordshire, will be charged with manslaughter by gross negligence, and endangering an aircraft under air navigation laws, after his plane smashed into the A27 in West Sussex last August.

 RAF trainer Hill will be charged with manslaughter after 11 died in the aftermath of the crash
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RAF trainer Hill will be charged with manslaughter after 11 died in the aftermath of the crashCredit: PA:Press Association

A Hawker Hunter jet flown by Mr Hill crashed on to the road during a failed loop-the-loop stunt.

Last year a Air Accidents Investigation Branch report into the horror which killed 11 revealed that Hill was flying too low and too slow as he performed the stunt.

RAF instructor Hill was thrown clear of the aircraft in the crash but survived after sustaining serious injuries.

Maurice Abrahams, 76, Graham Mallinson, 72, Mark Trussler, 54, Mark Reeves, and Anthony Brightwell, both 53, Dylan Archer, 46, Richard Smith, 26, Matt Jones, 24, and Daniele Polito, Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, all 23, were all killed.

 Crash victims from top left: Graham Mallinson, 72, retired engineer, Mark Trussler, 54, riding bike on A27, Maurice Abrahams, 76, wedding driver, Matthew Grimstone, 23, Worthing player, Dylan Archer, 42, was on a bike ride, Richard Smith, 26, out with pal Dylan, Tony Brightwell, 53, aircraft enthusiast, Matt Jones, 24, personal trainer, Mark Reeves, 53, was taking photos
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Crash victims from top left: Graham Mallinson, 72, retired engineer, Mark Trussler, 54, riding bike on A27, Maurice Abrahams, 76, wedding driver, Matthew Grimstone, 23, Worthing player, Dylan Archer, 42, was on a bike ride, Richard Smith, 26, out with pal Dylan, Tony Brightwell, 53, aircraft enthusiast, Matt Jones, 24, personal trainer, Mark Reeves, 53, was taking photosCredit: PA:Press Association

Hill, who turns 54 on Thursday, is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 19.

CPS prosecutor Simon Ringrose announced the news to the families of the victims at a private meeting in Lewes, East Sussex, on Wednesday evening.

He said in a statement: "Following a careful review of the evidence I have found there is sufficient evidence to charge Andrew Hill with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 11 men who died.

"Sussex Police conducted a thorough and detailed investigation into the incident and in November 2017 submitted a full file of evidence to the CPS in relation to the actions of the pilot.

 The decision has been welcomed by the families
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The decision has been welcomed by the familiesCredit: PA:Press Association
 The plane's fuselage was scattered across the road after the horror crash
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The plane's fuselage was scattered across the road after the horror crashCredit: PA:Press Association

"I have also authorised a further charge against Mr Hill of endangering an aircraft, contrary to Article 137 of the Air Navigation Order 2009."

"In accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have considered whether there is sufficient evidence to charge Mr Hill with any offence and if so whether it is in the public interest to do so."

Phil and Sue Grimstone, parents of victim Matthew Grimstone, 23, said: “We are pleased a decision has finally been made and we hope the criminal process will progress swiftly so that the inquest can commence."

An inquest into the disaster was expected to take place in September, but will now be postponed until criminal proceedings are concluded.

Air accident investigators publish final report into Shoreham Airshow disaster


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