We haven't been able to take payment
You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Act now to keep your subscription
We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
Your subscription is due to terminate
We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account, otherwise your subscription will terminate.

Shoreham air crash victim described as a ‘kind, loving man’

Tony Brightwell, 53, was killed as he watched planes at the airfield where he had gained his own private pilot licence
Tony Brightwell, 53, was killed as he watched planes at the airfield where he had gained his own private pilot licence

The family of the seventh victim to be named from the Shoreham air crash have paid tribute to a “kind, loving man”.

Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove, was a health care manager for Sussex Partnership NHS and Brighton and Hove City Council.

He was indulging his passion of watching planes and cycling and was excited about seeing one of the last flights of the Vulcan bomber.

Mr Brightwell gained his private pilot licence (PPL) several years ago at Shoreham and regularly went to the airfield to watch the planes take off and land, with a view that he might take up flying again one day.

The health worker had a real admiration of Second World War pilots and the huge, terrifying responsibilities that men and women faced.

Advertisement

His family said he loved food and cooking - regularly cooking Thai green curry, Spanish baked risotto and paella - and loved Indian takeaways, chicken tikka pathia being his favourite dish.

His fianc�e Lara said: “He was the love of my life, my soul mate and I am devastated that our plans of a life in the sun in a few years’ time won’t now happen.

“He was a kind, loving man who always helped others and just enjoyed spending time with family and friends over a bottle of red wine.

“I watched him cycle off into the sun on his treasured ridgeback bike to watch the air show at Shoreham for a couple of hours, but he never came home.”

He leaves behind a heartbroken family - fianc�e Lara, daughter Gemma, sister Judy, nephew Adam, parents Barbara and Ernie, best friend Andy and a large extended family, friends and colleagues. Forever in our hearts our darling bike warrior.

Advertisement

She added: “We thank everyone who has sent their love, condolences and prayers and while we appreciate that many others will be experiencing similar unspeakable grief in such tragic and public circumstances, we ask that we now be allowed to grieve ourselves in private and in peace.”