Air show tragedy: High Court hearing next week

A hearing to decide if material relating to the Shoreham air crash can be released to Sussex Police will be heard next week.
Prime Minister David Cameron with local MP Tim Loughton at the Old Toll Bridge, ShorehamPrime Minister David Cameron with local MP Tim Loughton at the Old Toll Bridge, Shoreham
Prime Minister David Cameron with local MP Tim Loughton at the Old Toll Bridge, Shoreham

Sussex Police has said the hearing is to proceed at the High Court of Justice on July 14 and 15, where the application will be heard. A statement from the force went on to say is a legislative requirement for material of this nature to be released.

The claimant is the Chief Constable of Sussex and the defendant is the Secretary of State for Transport and British Airline Pilots Association.

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Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz, who is leading the investigation, said: “The application is to enable Sussex Police to obtain access to legally protected material including cockpit recorders and footage, expert reports and some documentation. This application forms part of the ongoing investigation into the air crash. The families of those who died have been updated on the proceedings and we remain committed to finding the answers for them.”

Eleven men lost their lives when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed into the A27 at about 1.20pm on Saturday August 22, on the first day of last year’s Shoreham Airshow. The event will not go ahead this year.

They were Graham Mallison, 72, of Newick, East Sussex; Daniele Polito, 23, of Goring; Matt Jones, 24, from Littlehampton; Worthing United players Jacob Schilt and Matt Grimstone, both 23; Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton; Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing; Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford; Dylan Archer, 42, from Brighton; Richard Smith, 26, from Hove, and Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove.

Following the tragedy, Prime Minister David Cameron visited Sussex. He said at the time: “I wanted to come down and pay my respects and give my condolences to the community and to the families who lost loved ones.”

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