Air crash pilot ‘sorry’ as he walks free
Victims’ families left devastated by verdict
COURT: Families of loved ones who died in the Shoreham air crash said they felt let down and deprived of justice after the pilot was acquitted of 11 counts of manslaughter.
The verdicts given have “devastated” the bereaved families of the disaster, whose search for answers now turns to the inquest.
FAMILIES OF loved ones who died in the Shoreham air crash said they felt let down and deprived of justice after the pilot was acquitted of 11 counts of manslaughter.
The verdicts have “devastated” the bereaved families whose search for answers now turns to the inquest.
Andrew Hill was attempting a loop when his Hawker Hunter jet exploded into a fireball on the A27 in West Sussex in August 2015, killing 11 men.
The 54-year-old, of Sandon, Hertfordshire, was cleared after a trial at the Old Bailey on 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence.
Victims’ families wept in court as Mr Hill, an experienced former RAF instructor and British Airways captain, was found not guilty after just over seven hours of jury deliberations.
Mr Justice Edis acknowledged they were “enormously upset” as he praised the “very dignified way” they conducted themselves throughout the trial.
Speaking on the steps of the court, Mr Hill, who survived the crash after being thrown clear from the burning wreckage into brambles, expressed his sorrow at what had happened.
He said: “1,295 days ago, I lost control of an aircraft resulting in the deaths of Maurice Abrahams, Dylan Archer, Tony Brightwell, Graham Mallinson, Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Daniele Polito, Mark Reeves, Jacob Schilt, Richard Smith, Mark Trussler. A number of people were injured.
“I’m truly sorry for the part I played in their deaths and it is they that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
His words came as little consolation for the families.
Sue and Phil Grimstone, whose son Matthew, 23, was killed as he drove past the airfield on the A27, said they were “devastated”.
In a statement, the couple said: “There seems to be no justice for our son Matthew and all 11 men who died in such tragic circumstances.
“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.”
They added that the decision set an “alarming precedent”.
The couple said: “The general
I feel very upset and let down by the justice system. Leslye Polito, whose son Daniele died in the Shoreham air show crash.
public not attending air shows are entitled to expect the highest level of protection, and that certainly did not happen at Shoreham.
“We now look to the forthcoming inquest to question the organisation and regulation of display flying at air shows and in particular Shoreham.”
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.”
Detective Inspector Jon Fanner, of Sussex Police, said he respected the verdict but defended the decision to bring charges following “a long, complex and unique investigation”.