There is no justice for the 11 men who died in this tragedy
Families hit out as pilot in Shoreham horror cleared
He has two boys he will never see grow up. It’s caused such destruction
LESLYE POLITO ON LOSS OF HER SON DANIELE, 23
THE families of the 11 men killed in the Shoreham air disaster told of their “devastation” as pilot Andrew Hill was cleared of manslaughter.
The 54-year-old was attempting a loop the loop in a Hawker Hunter jet when it crashed on to the A27 in Sussex in a fireball in August 2015.
Prosecutors alleged the ex-RAF man had a “cavalier” attitude to safety and a history of playing “fast and loose” with the rules.
But Mr Hill claimed he blacked out and suffered “cognitive impairment” – possibly due to G-force.
After being found not guilty of 11 charges of manslaughter by gross negligence yesterday, he broke his four-year silence outside the Old Bailey over the crash.
He began his statement by naming all 11 victims: 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.
He then added: “I am truly sorry for the part I played in their deaths and it is they I will remember for the rest of my life.” But relatives had wept and shook their heads in court as the verdict was read out and lawyers for the families have said the fight for justice will go on.
Sue and Phil Grimstone, who lost son Matthew, said: “Obviously we are devastated. There seems to be no justice for our son Matthew and all 11 men who died in such tragic circumstances.”
Leslye Polito, who lost son Daniele, said: “I feel 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.”
She revealed Daniele is survived by two young sons – one of whom he never met. Mrs Polito, 66, said: “He has two boys he will never see grow up. They will never have their Daddy. It is so cruel. It’s something that could have been avoided. It’s caused so much destruction to so many people.”
And Oliver Morriss, nephew of Mark Reeves, said: “The success of Mr Hill’s defence of cognitive impairment could establish a worrying precedent.” Mr Justice Edis acknowledged the families were “upset” as he praised the “very dignified way” they conducted themselves.
Mr Hill, who lives near Buntingford, Herts, and was a captain with British Airways survived the crash after being thrown clear of the burning wreck.
He was put in an induced coma after suffering fractures to his ribs and lower spine, and a collapsed lung. He told medics he had “blacked out in the air”.
Experts said the aviation industry will breathe a “sigh of relief” at the verdict. Many events had to be axed in 2016 after the Civil Aviation Authority raised fees due to new safety measures. But Rebecca Smith of law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing 17 people affected by the crash, said an upcoming inquest will have more breadth than the criminal trial.
There is no legal bar to Mr Hill flying again but neither his flying licence nor display authorisation are currently valid. The CAA said he will need a medical certificate to fly again – but pals think he may return to the cockpit. Major George Bacon, who was in the RAF and has been in touch with Mr Hill since the crash, said: “I think ... he’ll carry on flying but I doubt he will go back to displays.”