The road where a Hawker Hunter jet crashed and killed 11 people in Britain’s worst air show disaster for 60 years has been partially reopened.
The public has been warned, however, not to stop to lay flowers on the A27 near Shoreham in West Sussex, which was closed after the devastating crash last Saturday.
Two lanes have been opened on the eastbound carriageway towards Brighton, as well as one lane on the westbound carriageway.
Sussex police have imposed a speed limit of 40mph and a second westbound lane remains closed while an investigation into the accident continues.
Members of the public were requested not to lay flowers on the busy road, according to the MP for Shoreham. Tim Loughton tweeted yesterday: “Likely that A27 will open partially tomorrow but people are asked not to leave flowers at scene itself – Old Toll Bridge remains best place.”
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The disaster happened as the 1950s aircraft failed to pull out of a loop-the-loop during the annual Shoreham air show. The jet crashed into traffic on the busy road, exploding in a massive fireball. Some of those killed were spectators who lined the road for a view of the aerobatic displays.
Thousands of people gathered at memorial events in the town yesterday to pay tribute to those who died. A minute’s silence was observed at 1.20pm – exactly a week after the disaster.
The victims have now been identified and their families informed, according to Penelope Schofield, the West Sussex senior coroner. Inquests into their deaths will be opened and adjourned on Wednesday.
The jet crashed with such force that specialists had to examine DNA, teeth and human remains to identify the victims.
Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove, a health care manager for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton and Hove city council, was the latest victim to be named.
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Mark Reeves, 53, a grandfather who died after parking his motorbike on the edge of the event, was also among the dead.
Other victims included the Worthing United footballers and best friends Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23, Matt Jones, 24, a personal trainer and Maurice Abrahams, 76, a former soldier who worked as a wedding chauffeur.
Mark Trussler was also thought to have been killed, as was Daniele Polito, a father from Worthing, police have not confirmed their deaths.
The jet’s pilot, Andrew Hill, remains in hospital with serious injuries.