The families of those tragically lost in the Shoreham air disaster have expressed their deep dismay and anger at pilot Andrew Hill’s bid to resume flying. They view his attempt as a profound insult to the memory of the victims and an additional source of distress for their grieving families.
[data-ps-embed-type=slideshow] > iframe {position: absolute;top: 0;left: 0;} _psEmbed(“https:///uknip.photoshelter.com”);In 2015, the catastrophic incident saw Mr Hill’s 1950s Hawker Hunter aircraft erupt into flames as it failed to complete a stunt above a crowded air show in West Sussex. Eleven individuals lost their lives in this horrific accident, and sixteen others sustained injuries. The crash also resulted in the destruction of eight vehicles on the A27 dual-carriageway.
Mr. Hill, who is now 59 years old, is currently seeking to have his pilot’s license reinstated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). However, the families of the victims believe that he should never be permitted near an aircraft again, considering the immense tragedy caused by the crash.
Anthony Mallinson, who lost his father, retired engineer Graham Mallinson, 72, in the accident, conveyed his sentiments, stating, “You’d think, out of respect for all of our loved ones lost, he would just let this one go now and just draw a line under it. We’re trying to draw a line under it. Why is he still continuing to put us through this stress and worry? To try and want to fly, knowing how the world sees him as a pilot and what happened, you’d think he’d want to go away into a corner and not be heard of.”
The fateful incident occurred on August 22, 2015, as Mr Hill attempted a dangerous loop manoeuvre only 200 feet above the Shoreham air show, despite experts’ recommendations to maintain a minimum altitude of 500 feet for safety.
Mr Hill survived the crash but suffered severe injuries as he was thrown clear of the wreckage. Following a lengthy legal process, he was eventually cleared of manslaughter charges after attributing the crash to the effects of G-force on his brain. Nevertheless, an inquest determined that the victims had been unlawfully killed.
Earlier this year, Mr Hill’s request for a review of the inquest’s decision was rejected.
A decision by the CAA on whether to reinstate Mr Hill’s pilot’s license is expected to be made in the coming year.
In a documentary titled “Fatal Flight: Shoreham,” scheduled to be available on Discovery+, the families of the victims share their experiences and the profound impact of the crash on their lives. The documentary aims to shed light on their quest for justice and the enduring pain they have endured over the past years.
As the ninth Christmas without their loved ones approaches, many of the victims’ families are struggling to cope with the holiday season. Phil Grimstone, whose son Matthew was killed on his way to a football game, said, “It’s the ninth Christmas without our loved ones, which is bloody hard because Matthew loved Christmas. Since then, Christmas is cold. You know? We got a couple of grandkids. So they help a lot. But it’ll never be the same again.”
Mr Hill, who resides near Sandon, Hertfordshire, has not yet commented on the matter.
