Shoreham air crash anniversary a 'poignant day'

The mother of one of the men killed in the Shoreham air crash 11 years ago has said marking the anniversary is always a "very poignant day".

A service on the 11th anniversary of the crash was held in the town earlier, with Caroline Schilt, whose son Jacob Schilt lost his life, among those in attendance.

She told the BBC: "It's good that all the families come together, which is a comfort... It really helps us all."

Eleven men were killed on 22 August 2015 when pilot Andrew Hill crashed a vintage Hawker Hunter jet on to the A27 while attempting to perform a mid-air stunt.

The families and other members of the community gathered at the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge, where the names of the men were read out at 13:22 BST, the exact time the plane crashed 11 years ago.

Caroline Schilt, who said she had become "very good friends" with a number of the families since the tragedy, believes this is important.

"To be together at the exact time that it happened, we're all in it together," she said.

Alongside the 11 deceased, 16 people were injured, and many others were affected by the traumatic events of that day.

Speaking earlier this week, Reverend Pat Alden, a retired priest working at St Nicholas Church in Old Shoreham, said the service would not solely honour those who died.

"An awful lot of people were affected, and continue to be affected. This is also for them," she said.

Hill, who was blamed for the men's deaths at an inquest but cleared of manslaughter, had a final legal challenge to get his licence reinstated turned down last year.

Matthew Jones, 24, a personal trainer from Littlehampton

Daniele Polito, 23, from Goring-by-Sea, was travelling in the same car as Mr Jones

Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer who worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club

Jacob Schilt, 23, was also a Worthing United player and was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone

Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day

Richard Smith, 26, from Hove, was going for a bike ride on the South Downs

Dylan Archer, 42, from Brighton, was also on the bike ride with Mr Smith

Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford, had ridden his motorcycle to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photos of the planes

Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove, was an aircraft enthusiast and had learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield

Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing, had gone to watch the display on his motorbike and was standing next to the road

James "Graham" Mallinson, 72, from Newick, was a photographer and retired engineer

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