'I'm truly sorry': Shoreham air show pilot reads the names of all 11 crash victims outside court after he is CLEARED of manslaughter - as families reveal their 'devastation' at verdict

  • Andrew Hill went on trial for manslaughter after crashing 1950s jet at air show
  • But he was cleared of the charges today after a jury deliberated for seven hours
  • Families of those killed shook their heads and wept as the verdicts were returned
  • The mother of the youngest victim said she feels 'let down' by the justice system
  • Hill reads statement outside court, saying he is 'truly sorry' for the men's deaths 

Shoreham pilot Andrew Hill has been found not guilty of manslaughter. Speaking outside court today, he said he was 'truly sorry' for the part he played in the 11 deaths

Shoreham pilot Andrew Hill has been found not guilty of manslaughter. Speaking outside court today, he said he was 'truly sorry' for the part he played in the 11 deaths

The Shoreham air crash pilot said today that he would remember the 11 victims of the disaster for the rest of his life, as families of those who died hit out at his not guilty manslaughter verdicts. 

A jury unanimously found Andrew Hill not guilty of 11 counts of gross negligence manslaughter after his 1950s Hawker Hunter jet exploded into a fireball on the A27 following a botched loop-the-loop attempt on August 22, 2015.

Relatives of those killed said they felt 'let down' and 'denied justice' after Mr Hill walked free from the Old Bailey today.

Sue and Phil Grimstone, whose son Matthew, 23, was among the 11 who died in the crash, said they were 'devastated' and called for bans on future air shows.

Speaking outside court, Mr Hill read the names of each of those killed and said he was 'truly sorry' for the part he played in their deaths. He added that he would 'remember them for the rest of my life'. 

He miraculously survived the air crash after being thrown clear from the burning wreckage into brambles. 

The prosecution said the former RAF and British Airways pilot had been flying too low and slow as he attempted the disastrous stunt. They claimed he had, at times, a 'cavalier' attitude to safety and a history of taking risks, having played 'fast and loose' with the rules in the past. 

The plane came down on the A27 after attempting a loop-the-loop near the south coast town

The plane came down on the A27 after attempting a loop-the-loop near the south coast town

Footage filmed by spectators showed the 1950s Hawker Hunter seconds before the crash

Footage filmed by spectators showed the 1950s Hawker Hunter seconds before the crash

Married Hill, whose wife Ellie is also a pilot, impassively stared at the floor of the dock as the jury unanimously found him not guilty of the manslaughter of the 11 victims by gross negligence. The jury had been deliberating for seven hours.

Families of the victims sobbed and shook their heads at the back of the court.  

Sue and Phil Grimstone, whose son Matthew died in the crash, said they were 'devastated' by the jury's verdict.

They added: 'There seems to be no justice for our son Matthew and all 11 men who died in such tragic circumstances.

'We were always told by the police that to prove guilty due to "gross negligence" the bar was set very high. Despite having compelling evidence from the cockpit footage and expert witnesses, it was not enough.'

The couple asked: 'Why are we allowing any form of aerobatics to be performed when there is now doubt concerning any pilot's ability to avoid becoming cognitively impaired from the normal G forces that will be experienced during an aerobatic display?

'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.  It has to be remembered that this is a leisure industry, it is not a necessity.'

Caroline Schilt, pictured with her husband Bob, lost their son Jacob in the air crash

Caroline Schilt, pictured with her husband Bob, lost their son Jacob in the air crash

Pictured: Victim Jacob Schilt. His mother said Mr Hill failed to take responsibility for the crash

Pictured: Victim Jacob Schilt. His mother said Mr Hill failed to take responsibility for the crash

Oliver Morriss, nephew of victim Mark Reeves, said he and his family were 'completely devastated' at the 'surprising' verdicts.

He added: 'It has been a long and complex trial and we feel that the success of Mr Hill's defence of cognitive impairment could establish a worrying precedent and have far-reaching consequences.' 

Caroline Schilt, whose son Jacob was killed, said Hill has failed to take responsibility for the crash during his evidence to the trial.

She told Sky News: 'We all felt that Andrew Hill had to take responsibility for what had happened.

'There were very lengthy pieces of footage we sat through and it was almost like a masterclass in this is Andrew Hill and how he actually flies.

'Perhaps his lawyers had told him not to say anything about any sort of remorse but it just seemed that it was almost like he was lecturing us rather than taking responsibility for it.' 

Chilling footage showed the huge jet just moments before he landed on the busy A-road

Chilling footage showed the huge jet just moments before he landed on the busy A-road

The trial was shown footage of the horrific moment the 1950s jet came down on the busy road

The trial was shown footage of the horrific moment the 1950s jet came down on the busy road

The stretch of road became a fireball after the plane slammed down minutes into the show

The stretch of road became a fireball after the plane slammed down minutes into the show

What is the law on gross negligence manslaughter?

The law on gross negligence manslaughter is seen as quite difficult to prove because it involves a four stage test.

Prosecutors must show, one, that the person charged had a 'duty of care' to those killed and, two, that they breached that duty of care.

They must also prove that, three, the breach caused or significantly caused the death or deaths, and that, four, the defendant's conduct was so bad as to constitute gross negligence.

In a 2005 case often cited by lawyers, a judge told the jury they must consider the defendant's actions to be 'reprehensible' to constitute gross negligence.

Experts say the law is so tight to avoid people being given long jail sentences over legitimate accidents. 

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Trial judge Mr Justice Edis acknowledged the families were 'enormously upset' as he praised the 'very dignified way' they conducted themselves throughout the case.

The air disaster was the first time spectators have been killed at a British airshow for 63 years.

Speaking outside the court, Detective Inspector Jon Fanner defended the decision to put Hill on trial.

'This has been a long and complex investigation,' he said. 'Throughout the last three and a half years we have sought to find answers for the family and the friends of those who died.

'I hope this trail has gone some way towards doing that.'

He added: 'It was clearly appropriate to bring these charges and for Mr Hill to stand trial.

'The jury's view is that he is not guilty of the charges that were brought against him and we respect that decision.

'The Shoreham air crash will live in the hearts and minds of many people for years to come, not least for those who lost their loved ones.

'I must pay tribute to the families of the victims, many of whom sat through every minute of everyday throughout the trial, and have done so with complete dignity and support for each other, for our investigation and for us the police team. The humility they have shown has been truly inspiring.'

Pictures from the aftermath of the crash showed debris strewn across the two-lane road

Pictures from the aftermath of the crash showed debris strewn across the two-lane road

An accident report showed how the plane failed to keep altitude as it dropped out of the loop

An accident report showed how the plane failed to keep altitude as it dropped out of the loop

Pilot's full statement outside court 

Andy Hill was composed and emotionless as he read a prepared statement outside the Old Bailey.

He said:  '1,295 days ago I lost control of an aircraft resulting in the deaths of Maurice Abrahams, Graham Mallinson, Mark Trussler, Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Tony Brightwell, Mark Reeves, Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt, Matt Jones, Daniele Polito.

'A number of people were injured.

'I am truly sorry for the part I played in their deaths, and it is all I will remember for the rest of my life.'

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During the trial, Mr Hill had claimed he blacked out in the air, having experienced 'cognitive impairment' brought on by hypoxia possibly due to the effects of G-force.

The 54-year-old, of Buntingford, Hertfordshire, denied 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Speaking for the first time in public since the incident when he gave evidence at the trial, he denied having a 'cavalier' attitude, insisting he was known for his safety record.

He has never watched footage that captured the moment of the crash and lowered his head when is was played to jurors.

The court heard this was on medical advice from his doctor over fears of how it would affect him.

Hill is now in good health, with medical checks before and after the crash showing no signs of a condition that would have affected him at the time, the court heard.

Prosecutors had claimed the 2015 crash was due to 'pilot error' and although Mr Hill was normally considered 'careful and competent', he had taken 'risks' in the past, suggesting he sometimes played 'fast and loose' with the rules and may have had a 'more cavalier attitude to safety than was appropriate'.

Speaking outside court today, Detective Inspector Jon Fanner insisted it was 'clearly appropriate to bring these charges'

Speaking outside court today, Detective Inspector Jon Fanner insisted it was 'clearly appropriate to bring these charges'

In 2017 a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch also found the disaster was caused by pilot error after the plane was too slow and too low during a loop manoeuvre.

But Mr Hill, an experienced former RAF instructor and British Airways captain, said he took a 'very structured, disciplined approach' to display flying.

He told jurors he sometimes held back from flights he was not comfortable with carrying out, adding: 'We have our strengths and weaknesses.'

Mr Hill said he thinks about the tragedy every day and it was a 'dominant' thought in his mind. He said he never intended to cause any risk to anybody.

The victims were Maurice Abrahams, 76; Dylan Archer, 42; Tony Brightwell, 53; Matthew Grimstone, 23; Matt Jones, 24; Graham Mallinson, 72; Daniele Polito, 23; Mark Reeves, 53; Jacob Schilt, 23; Richard Smith, 26; and Mark Trussler, 54, who all lived in Sussex.

The flames from the Hawker Hunter aircraft can be seen burning through the vegetation in the surrounding area

The flames from the Hawker Hunter aircraft can be seen burning through the vegetation in the surrounding area

A huge cloud of black smoke and red flames shot up into the sky moments after the crash happened at the airshow

A huge cloud of black smoke and red flames shot up into the sky moments after the crash happened at the airshow 

Eleven people were killed in the crash that also splintered trees sending bits of branches flying into the sky

Eleven people were killed in the crash that also splintered trees sending bits of branches flying into the sky

 

'Someone who has made some very bad errors of judgment is allowed to walk free': Mother of youngest victim says she feels 'let down' by the justice system

The mother of the youngest Shoreham Airshow crash victim said she feels 'let down' by the justice system after the pilot was cleared of manslaughter charges.

A jury found Andrew Hill not guilty of the 11 counts over the 2015 crash.

An official Government report into the accident, published in 2017, found the crash was caused by pilot error when Mr Hill flew too low and too slowly while carrying out the bent loop manoeuvre, and could have been avoided.

Leslye Polito, who lost her son Daniele in the crash, said: 'I feel extremely disappointed, very upset and primarily let down by the justice system when someone who has clearly made some very bad errors of judgment is allowed to walk free.'

The 23-year-old builder left behind two young children, one of whom he never had chance to meet.

He had left work early and was travelling to the beach with a colleague when flames engulfed their car after the plane crashed on the A27.

Daniele Polito was killed in the Shoreham air disaster
His mother, Leslye, is angry that the pilot has walked free from court

Daniele Polito was killed in the Shoreham air disaster. His mother, Leslye, is angry that the pilot has walked free from court

Daniele was described as 'full of life, a joker and extremely family orientated'

Daniele was described as 'full of life, a joker and extremely family orientated'

Mrs Polito, 66, of Goring in West Sussex, said: 'The whole fact that it was avoidable, that was the hardest bit to consider and process. It's still the hardest bit.'

'Bye mum, love you' were the last words Mrs Polito heard her youngest son say, as she had so many times before when he left the house.

Mrs Polito said: 'If there's anything good about it, which there isn't, it's that it was all instant.

'It helps to know that. One just learns to live each day as it comes and take every day and live as normally as one can.

'Every birthday, Christmas, Father's Day - it doesn't matter what they are, they are all equally as difficult as the anniversary (of the incident).'

The family had no idea that Daniele had been caught up in the disaster when they heard of it

The family had no idea that Daniele had been caught up in the disaster when they heard of it

Daniele was never able to meet his youngest son, Jaxson, who was born after he died, Mrs Polito said.

Mrs Polito said that, although they have 'two lovely little boys to carry on his name', she said this was 'bittersweet', adding: 'We have that but we don't have him and he won't get to see either of them grow up.

'We will make sure they know all about their daddy. We talk about Daniele all the time, every day.

'He was full of life, a joker, he was extremely family orientated. Everything to him was family, I think due to his Italian heritage. He wanted to live life to the full.'

Investigation blamed pilot error for the crash

A report in 2017 into the Shoreham air disaster found it was caused by the pilot flying too slow and too low during a loop manoeuvre. 

The speed that the 1955 Hawker Hunter entered the manoeuvre was too low and it failed to use maximum thrust, the final report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) stated. 

It also concluded that measures taken to mitigate the effects of an aircraft crashing outside the boundary of the air show were 'ineffective' and contributed to the severity of the incident’s toll. 

Flight trials indicated the former Royal Air Force pilot could have pulled out of the stunt up to four seconds after reaching the top of the loop, but he either did not perceive it was necessary or did not realise it was possible.

He had not received formal training to escape the manoeuvre and had not had his competence to do so assessed, the report found.

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That day, Daniele had been at work with 24-year-old Matt Jones, who also died in the crash. Their boss had let them leave early to enjoy the hot weather and they were driving to the beach in Mr Jones's car.

She and her husband Nino were at a party when they heard about the crash and discussed it with guests but thought nothing more of it - no-one knew at that stage that anyone had died.

They thought Daniele was still at work. But both he and Mr Jones were killed, while their boss had been driving a few cars behind them and saw the horror unfold.

Other families of the Shoreham Airshow crash victims have called for a 'thorough and frank' investigation to halt the grim death toll at displays across England.

Sarah Stewart, partner at law firm Stewarts, has represented most of the relatives of the 11 men killed at the 2015 show in West Sussex.

Four years on, they have settled compensation claims for undisclosed sums of money but are still waiting for answers.

Ms Stewart said the criminal trial of pilot Andrew Hill for manslaughter by gross negligence had put inquests 'on hold'.

Its conclusion means that West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield can move ahead with full inquests and a thorough investigation into the wider issues.

Locals laid flowers on the Old Tollbridge near the A27 at Shoreham after the crash

Locals laid flowers on the Old Tollbridge near the A27 at Shoreham after the crash

The lawyer said: 'Many families do not look for compensation. They want answers so that future deaths can be prevented.

'It is now almost four years since the Shoreham Airshow disaster killed 11 innocent men.

'The bereaved families have had to painfully relive the circumstances of their loved one's death again and again. The families want answers. 

'The inquest will enable a wider investigation into the deaths that occurred by examining the legal framework or rules relating to the supervision of pilots, flights, aircraft and airshows, as well as the various systems in place - including safety planning - to protect observers of the airshow and those in close proximity to it.

'To give the families what they want - which is a thorough, frank investigation into how their loved ones died - the only way forward is a wider investigation into all those things as well.

'The families will only be satisfied once a thorough investigation has been carried out.'

A piece of the wreckage is winched from the scene after the Shoreham air crash

A piece of the wreckage is winched from the scene after the Shoreham air crash

The Shoreham air crash in 2015 was the deadliest for 63 years, yet stunt pilot deaths and injuries have been a regular feature of shows in England over the past 100 years.

In 1952, 31 people, including pilot John Derry, were killed when a fighter jet crashed during the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire.

Just three years later, the pilot of a Hawker Hunter was killed during a fly-by at the same venue which was witnessed by Princess Margaret and 4,000 other spectators.

In 1968, six members of the French Air Force were killed in a crash while performing a single engine demonstration at Farnborough.

In September 2007, James Bond stunt pilot Brian Brown was killed when his Hawker Hurricane crashed in a fireball after he failed to pull out of a dive during a mock dogfight at Shoreham. 

Who were the 11 victims of the 2015 Shoreham air disaster?

Maurice Abrahams

Maurice Abrahams

Maurice Abrahams, 76:

Chauffeur Mr Abrahams, from Brighton, was en route in his classic Daimler to collect bride Rebecca Sheen and take her to her wedding when the plane crashed.

A former police officer with Hampshire Constabulary, he was an ex-member of the Grenadier Guards and Parachute Regiment, and had served in Cyprus and Bahrain with the UN.

In his later years, he enjoyed working for East Sussex-based Chariots Chauffeurs as well as gardening.

His funeral was held at St Margaret's Church in Rottingdean, where he had driven brides to their weddings countless times.

Married to Edwina, Mr Abrahams had a son, Eddie, and daughter Lizzie.

 
Graham Mallinson

Graham Mallinson

James Graham Mallinson, known as Graham, 72:

Retired engineer Mr Mallinson, from Newick, near Lewes, had gone to Shoreham to photograph one of the last Vulcan bomber flights.

Relatives said he was kind and generous with a 'great sense of humour'. 

He was a private and loving family man, they added.

A lifetime member of the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex, married father Mr Mallinson had recently developed an interest in photographing vintage aircraft.

 
Father-of-six Mark Trussler

Father-of-six Mark Trussler

Mark Trussler, 54:

Father-of-six Mr Trussler, a window cleaner from Worthing, had taken his motorbike for a spin on the day of the tragedy as he had also wanted to see the Vulcan flight.

While in Shoreham, he texted his fiancee Giovanna Chirico telling her to get the children ready so they could take them out for lunch on his return home.

She told him she loved him and his last words to her were, 'I love you too, forever'.

A motorbike and rugby fan, he was also described as a doting father.

 

 Tony Brightwell, 53:

Health care manager Mr Brightwell, from Hove, was indulging his twin passions of planes and cycling when tragedy struck.

His fiancee Lara watched him cycle off to watch one of the last Vulcan bomber flights, 'but he never came home', she said.

Mr Brightwell gained his private pilot licence at Shoreham, loved food and cooking, and admired Second World War pilots.

 

Dylan Archer, 42, and Richard Smith, 26:

IT consultant Mr Archer, a father of two who lived in Brighton, and Mr Smith, who lived in Hove, were due to meet up with a third friend to head out for a cycle ride in the South Downs.

Mr Archer, who grew up in the Midlands, had a lifelong passion for bikes and cars, and rode the bike he made himself on the day he died.

Dylan Archer
Richard Smith

Dylan Archer and Richard Smith were due to meet up with a third friend to go on a cycle ride when they were killed in the Shoreham tragedy 

After going to university in Birmingham, Buckinghamshire-raised Mr Smith worked in a bicycle shop in Cosham, Portsmouth.

He later moved to Hove where he worked in marketing and web development at ActSmart, a firm that specialises in providing advice to the cycle industry.  

 

Mark Reeves, 53:

Computer-aided design technician Mr Reeves, from Seaford, near Eastbourne, had parked his motorbike to take photographs of planes when the crash happened.

A grandfather, relatives described him as a 'sun worshipper' who would often be seen relaxing with a cocktail in hand on holiday.

His family said he was combining two favourite hobbies of riding his cherished Honda bike to take photographs at the air show.

 

Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23:

The two Worthing United footballers were travelling together in a car to a 3pm home game against Loxwood FC when they were caught up in the crash.

Mr Grimstone's parents Sue and Phil and brothers David and Paul called him the 'kindest person you could ever meet'.

Team-mates said Mr Schilt was a 'tenacious midfielder' with an eye for a goal.

Mr Grimstone had also worked at Brighton & Hove Albion for seven years, most recently as a groundsman at the Lancing training ground.

Matthew Grimstone
Jacob Schilt

Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23, were travelling to Worthing United to play in a home game against Loxwood FC when they were caught up in the crash

 

Matt Jones, 24, and Daniele Polito, 23:

Father Daniele Polito, from Worthing, was travelling in the same car as personal trainer Matt Jones when tragedy struck.

Mr Polito's mother Leslye Polito said on the first anniversary of the disaster that the previous 12 months had failed to ease her loss. 

A keen DJ, Mr Jones had reportedly recently returned to the UK from living in Australia.

Matt Jones
Daniele Polito

Matt Jones and Daniele Polito both died in the same car  

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Who is the Shoreham Airshow crash pilot? How former RAF and British Airways man nicknamed 'The Prof' even showed off his aerobatic prowess on TV's Midsomer Murders

Andrew Hill was nicknamed 'The Prof' due to his flying skills

Andrew Hill was nicknamed 'The Prof' due to his flying skills

Shoreham Airshow crash pilot Andrew Hill once simulated an out-of-control plane for an episode of ITV drama Midsomer Murders.

Hill flew his home-built plane for the daytime show, pretending the plane was in a dive as a fictional air traffic controller warned the fictional pilot: 'You are headed for the crowds.' 

He and his wife Ellen, also a pilot, had built their own plane from a kit, and flew it in air shows.

Hill, now 54, is a Cambridge graduate who was top of the class in the RAF, winning competitions for his flying and being given the military nickname 'The Prof'.

A captain with British Airways until the tragedy, he grew up in Kent and went to Tonbridge School, a private boarding school that counts Norman Heatley - who turned penicillin into usable medicine - among its alumni.

Telling the court he was 'reasonably academic' and an A-grade pupil at school, Hill was allowed to enrol at Cambridge University without taking the entrance exam, attending Christ's College.

He began studying engineering and then transferred to computer science, graduating with an honours degree in 1985.

Speaking outside court today, Hill said he was 'truly sorry' for the men's deaths and that they would stay with him for the rest of his life

Speaking outside court today, Hill said he was 'truly sorry' for the men's deaths and that they would stay with him for the rest of his life

Mr Hill and his wife Ellie, who were both BA pilots, built their own plane from a kit (not pictured)

Mr Hill and his wife Ellie, who were both BA pilots, built their own plane from a kit (not pictured)

Going straight into the RAF afterwards, he won a competition when flying a Jet Provost and was a top performing student.

He was selected - or as he put it 'creamed off the top' - to become an instructor.

Training in combat, he took part in active service for a month in the 1990s, monitoring no-fly zones in northern Iraq.

Hill was fiercely proud of his RAF record flying record after working as an instructor and seeing active service in Iraq

Hill was fiercely proud of his RAF record flying record after working as an instructor and seeing active service in Iraq

He also started to fly a Harrier - capable of vertical take-off and landing - and won an award for his work and ideas on improving aircraft safety procedures.

Turning to civil aviation, he became a commercial pilot, starting with Virgin Atlantic before moving to British Airways and progressing to the most senior position of captain.

He gained a reputation as an experienced pilot but nearly died at the side of the road after the Hawker Hunter he was flying in 2015 crashed in a fireball on to the A27 in West Sussex.

Hill, who now lives in Sandon, Buntingford, in Hertfordshire, suffered serious injuries and was placed into an induced coma before being discharged from hospital a month later.

He had fractured his nose, ribs and part of his lower spine and suffered a collapsed lung and serious bruising among other injuries. 

The 54-year-old spent much of the proceedings taking notes while sitting in the dock or leaning down to follow documents of evidence.

Wearing a dark suit for the proceedings, his manner appeared jovial as he made a few jokes while standing in the witness box giving his testimony.

Described as a competent, 'safety conscious' pilot and an 'absolute gentleman', he dismissed prosecutors' claims he took risks, saying he was not 'cavalier' and took a 'very structured, disciplined approach' to display flying.

An error by Hill (pictured at the controls of another plane in 2009) was to blame for the crash, a 2017 report found

An error by Hill (pictured at the controls of another plane in 2009) was to blame for the crash, a 2017 report found

He told jurors he held back from flights he was not comfortable with and said the 'primary aim' of displays was to 'avoid risk'.

But Hill conceded he had only limited experience in the Hunter.

He told the court there may have been gaps in his training on what were termed 'basic' details of how to fly the plane.

Hill also said he had not read some of the guidance notes on how to safely and properly operate the aircraft.

 

Timeline: The Shoreham Airshow crash and investigations

August 22 2015, 1.22pm - A vintage Hawker Hunter jet flown by pilot Andrew Hill crashes mid-stunt on to the A27 at Shoreham in West Sussex during an airshow, killing 11 men. Hill survives the crash with serious injuries after he was thrown clear from the wreckage. He is taken to hospital and put in an induced coma before being discharged a month later.

August 23 - The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Sussex Police all launch probes into the crash.

August 24 - The CAA temporarily grounds all Hawker Hunters and limits vintage jets to flypasts during airshows.

Investigators at the scene of the crash on the A27 during the week after the plane came down

Investigators at the scene of the crash on the A27 during the week after the plane came down

September 2 - The identities of all 11 victims are officially confirmed as an inquest is opened and adjourned by West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield.

November 22 - A memorial service takes place to honour the victims.

December 15 - Hill is interviewed by police officers from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team under caution after voluntarily attending a station near his Hertfordshire home but is not arrested.

April 14 2016 - The CAA says it is tightening rules for all show organisers when it publishes its final report in the wake of the crash.

July 8 - It emerges police are investigating Hill for manslaughter by gross negligence and endangerment of life under air navigation laws.

January 24, 2017 - The CAA agrees to accept all the safety measures made by the AAIB in the wake of the tragedy, meaning stricter safety rules for pilots and organisers, after it initially rejected almost half of the recommendations.

March 3 - The AAIB publishes its findings in a 219-page report following one of its longest investigations in recent years. Investigators found the disaster was caused by the pilot flying too slow and too low during a loop manoeuvre.

June 20 - The police say the criminal investigation is 95% complete at a pre-inquest hearing.

November 1 - Families hit out after their application for exceptional case funding legal aid, which will pay for costs incurred when lawyers represent them at the inquest, was rejected. Prime Minister Theresa May asks the Lord Chancellor David Lidington to intervene.

November 30 - The coroner says prosecutors have been provided with a complete case file and are to decide whether criminal charges will be brought.

January 24 2018 - A pre-inquest review is postponed until March 26 to allow prosecutors more time to consider the case file.

March 21 - Prosecutors meet victims' families at police headquarters in Lewes, East Sussex, to inform them of their charging decision. The CPS announces it is charging Hill with manslaughter by gross negligence and endangerment of an aircraft.

May 15 - Hill pleads not guilty to 11 charges of manslaughter by gross negligence and one of recklessly or negligently endangering an aircraft under aviation laws.

January 16 2019 - Hill stands trial at the Old Bailey accused of manslaughter by gross negligence. Prosecutors drop the final charge of endangering an aircraft.

March 8 2019 - The jury deliver their verdict. Hill is cleared.

 

Frame by frame, how the Shoreham jet exploded into flames: Terrifying moment Hawker Hunter burst into a fireball on the A27

Shocking images captured the Hawker Hunter jet exploding into a fireball after it plunged from the skies and smashed onto the A27, a dual carriageway packed with cars on the sunny August afternoon.

Thousands flocked to the airshow every year, and that year was no different. Huge crowds watched the aerial displays, with many members of the crowd taking pictures, or filming the event on their cameras.

And they watched in horrifying disbelief as pilot Andy Hill's doomed plane manourvered above them, performing a Derry roll in the bright blue sky, before it disappeared from view.

Seconds later, as footage of the crash filmed by a bystander showed, a huge orange ball of flame erupted into the air, the jet smashed into the ground at about 1.20pm.

It was what paramedics described as 'utter devastation' obliterating vehicles on the busy road and leaving survivors fleeing for their lives, many suffering with terrible burns.

It was in the minutes and hours that followed as the death toll from the disaster slowly rose, and the grim reality of what so many had witnessed became clear.

After Andy Hill was today found not guilty of manslaughter over the deaths, here we look at the photographs and video footage from that day, and the outpouring of grief that followed, and the scene was showered with thousands of floral tributes for the victims.

At the start of the show the Hawker Hunter, a plane which was a mainstay of Britain's Royal Air Force in the 1950s and early 1960s, flew in front of the large crowd gathered at Shoreham on August 22, 2015

At the start of the show the Hawker Hunter, a plane which was a mainstay of Britain's Royal Air Force in the 1950s and early 1960s, flew in front of the large crowd gathered at Shoreham on August 22, 2015

The aircraft gained altitude and banked up to the right of the crowd before rolling, going upside down and pulled around

The aircraft gained altitude and banked up to the right of the crowd before rolling, going upside down and pulled around

The jet the performed a large circle in the sky so that it flew directly towards to the gathered on the south coast airstrip

The jet the performed a large circle in the sky so that it flew directly towards to the gathered on the south coast airstrip

As it neared the crowd, the pilot  pulled up so that the aircraft soared into the sky in front of them, its undercarriage visible

As it neared the crowd, the pilot  pulled up so that the aircraft soared into the sky in front of them, its undercarriage visible

The crowd saw the underside of the jet clearly as it approached the apex of the loop, high above the A27 road

The crowd saw the underside of the jet clearly as it approached the apex of the loop, high above the A27 road

The plane goes over the top of the loop,. In 2017 a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found the disaster was caused by pilot error after the plane was too slow and too low during a loop manoeuvre

The plane goes over the top of the loop,. In 2017 a report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found the disaster was caused by pilot error after the plane was too slow and too low during a loop manoeuvre

As it began to drop out of the loop, experts of the ground began to worry he was too low and did not have altitude to pull up

As it began to drop out of the loop, experts of the ground began to worry he was too low and did not have altitude to pull up

Footage from the roadside showed the huge fighter aircraft rapidly dropping out of the sky above the A-road

Footage from the roadside showed the huge fighter aircraft rapidly dropping out of the sky above the A-road

From the crowd's perspective, the aircraft could be seen getting lower and lower at the far side of the airfield

From the crowd's perspective, the aircraft could be seen getting lower and lower at the far side of the airfield

In its final moments, the pilot pulled the nose of the plane up, but the downward force was too great, taking it onto the road

In its final moments, the pilot pulled the nose of the plane up, but the downward force was too great, taking it onto the road

This final photo of the plane before the crash shows it just feet above the busy road. The nose it up but it is still falling

This final photo of the plane before the crash shows it just feet above the busy road. The nose it up but it is still falling

As the plane hit the ground, a fireball quickly spread along the road as the speed of the jet took it half a mile along the road

As the plane hit the ground, a fireball quickly spread along the road as the speed of the jet took it half a mile along the road

To the crowd's horror, thick black smoke rose up from the road as the full scale of the crash began to dawn on those present

To the crowd's horror, thick black smoke rose up from the road as the full scale of the crash began to dawn on those present

The smoke caused the fire quickly rose into the air, visible along the south coast on what was a clear summer's day

The smoke caused the fire quickly rose into the air, visible along the south coast on what was a clear summer's day

A huge clear up and investigation ensued
Part of the plane's body was recovered from bushes

A huge clear up and investigation ensued. Part of the plane's body was recovered from bushes

  

 

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