Shoreham Airshow: Families mark fifth anniversary of tragedy

The families of men killed in the Shoreham Airshow disaster have gathered for a memorial service five years after the tragedy.

Eleven men died when a Hawker Hunter plane smashed into the A27 in West Sussex on 22 August 2015.

The parents of Jacob Schilt, who was in a car struck by the plane, said it was a "comforting process".

"We are sharing our grief with these other families," said Caroline Schilt. "It gives us comfort to be together".

Rev Julie Newson, of St Luke's Church, led a two-minute silence on Saturday at 13:22 BST - the time of the tragedy.

"The whole thing was so traumatic for everybody who is local [and] it continues to be a site of horrendous memories," she said.

Mr Schilt, 23, and his friend Matthew Grimstone were on their way to play football for Worthing United when their vehicle was hit by the aircraft.

"Our focus has been and will remain on getting answers as to why and how this tragedy was allowed to happen," parents Phil and Sue Grimstone said.

Worthing United said it took "pride in representing the boys every time we step onto the pitch," adding that it hoped that by the next anniversary "we will be closer to closure for everyone affected".

Pilot Andy Hill, who was thrown clear of the burning wreckage and survived, was found not guilty of 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence in March 2019.

An inquest due to begin in September has been delayed due to coronavirus.

Tim Loughton, the MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he shared the families' "sense of frustration at the continuing delays for a multitude of reasons which means that it remains difficult to achieve closure until that inquest has done its work and lessons really learned".

Barrister Gerard Forlin QC, who represents many of the families at the inquest, said the coroner must also consider making recommendations that could prevent a repeat of other airshow tragedies.