Events mark 10th anniversary of Shoreham air crash.
The names of the 11 men killed in the Shoreham air crash were read out at a ceremony commemorating the disaster’s tenth anniversary.
On August 22, 2015, a vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed into a main road, the A27, while attempting a mid-air stunt.
Friday’s commemorations included a private church service for the families of those who died, a two-minute silence, and the laying of flowers at a memorial in the West Sussex town.
Some relatives of those who died gathered early on Friday to lay flowers on the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge over the River Adur, which became a focal point for grief following the tragedy.
The family of 23-year-old footballer Matthew Grimstone was among them.
His father, Phil Grimstone, told the BBC that “he was a lovely boy.” “So kind and gentle.” To show respect, all county council flags and those at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service buildings were lowered to half-mast.
Reverend Pat Alden, who led the private memorial service for the bereaved families at St Nicholas’ Church in Old Shoreham, told BBC Radio Sussex: “It is a time not only for sorrow, but also for remembering all the good things.
“We are here for the 11 men who died, the 16 who were injured, and the many others who were affected by the events of ten years ago. “We want to remember and we don’t want people to forget.”
Families of the deceased reported that it was the largest gathering of victims’ relatives and friends since the tragedy.
Families and friends walked out of the church to a nearby memorial arch, where they were joined by onlookers walking across the wooden bridge.
At 13:22 BST, the exact time the plane crashed, a public commemoration was held in the centre of the bridge, where a memorial stone now stands.
The names of the eleven men who died were read aloud, followed by a two-minute silence.
Lucinda Adam/BBCFlowers were laid by family members, friends, and those affected by the tragedy. As a show of respect, all aircraft movements into and out of Shoreham Airport were halted during the ceremony.
Anthony Mallinson, whose father, James “Graham” Mallinson, was killed in the disaster, said, “It’s been a moving and powerful day. “It has given us comfort.
We were overwhelmed by the number of people who joined us.” Oliver Morriss, Mark Reeves’ nephew who also died, said, “What really hit home was seeing the emergency services, local people, and the community come together. That was very touching.
Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer, worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
Jacob Schilt, 23, a Worthing United player, was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone. Maurice Abrahams, 76 of Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day. Richard Smith, 26, from Hove, went for a bike ride on the South Downs.
Dylan Archer, 42, of Brighton was also on the bike ride with Mr. Smith. Mark Reeves, 53, of Seaford, had ridden his motorbike to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photographs of the planes.
Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove, was an aircraft enthusiast who learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield.
Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing, had gone to watch the display on his motorbike and was standing by the road.
James “Graham” Mallinson, 72, of Newick was a photographer and retired engineer.
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