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Shoreham plane crash: 'Several' casualties after Hawker Hunter smash | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Hawker Hunter plane has crashed into several vehicles after coming down at Shoreham Airshow in West Sussex. | A Hawker Hunter plane has crashed into several vehicles after coming down at Shoreham Airshow in West Sussex. |
Sussex Police said there are several casualties, but could not give details on their condition. | Sussex Police said there are several casualties, but could not give details on their condition. |
The plane crashed into vehicles on the nearby A27. The road is likely to remain closed for several hours. | The plane crashed into vehicles on the nearby A27. The road is likely to remain closed for several hours. |
Eyewitness Stephen Jones said the plane was performing a loop but did not complete the manoeuvre and crashed. Police said it ended up in a bush. | Eyewitness Stephen Jones said the plane was performing a loop but did not complete the manoeuvre and crashed. Police said it ended up in a bush. |
He said: "The aeroplane involved is a Hawker Hunter T mark 7. And he'd just begun his flying display. | He said: "The aeroplane involved is a Hawker Hunter T mark 7. And he'd just begun his flying display. |
Read the latest updates on the crash | |
"He'd gone up into a loop and as he was coming out of the loop I just thought, you're too low, you're too low, pull up. | "He'd gone up into a loop and as he was coming out of the loop I just thought, you're too low, you're too low, pull up. |
"And he flew straight into the ground either on or very close to the A27, which runs past the airport." | "And he flew straight into the ground either on or very close to the A27, which runs past the airport." |
A spokesman for the Royal Sussex County Hospital said two men had been taken to the hospital, one in a critical condition and the other with minor injuries. Ten other casualties are being treated at the scene. | |
One eyewitness, tweeting as Jon B, said: "It (the plane) turned from the north by Lancing College, went to go low towards the airfield and went behind some trees below where I was. | One eyewitness, tweeting as Jon B, said: "It (the plane) turned from the north by Lancing College, went to go low towards the airfield and went behind some trees below where I was. |
"Then there was a crunch sound and a ball of flames and thick black smoke came up from the ground." | "Then there was a crunch sound and a ball of flames and thick black smoke came up from the ground." |
At the scene | At the scene |
BBC Sussex reporter Simon Jenkins | BBC Sussex reporter Simon Jenkins |
I'm standing on the middle of the A27 and it's deserted. | I'm standing on the middle of the A27 and it's deserted. |
The police are taking no chances whatsoever. I've been asked to move back in case of any further explosions. | The police are taking no chances whatsoever. I've been asked to move back in case of any further explosions. |
I've been speaking to people and they are absolutely stunned. The plane seems to have stalled mid manoeuvre and came crashing down on the A27. | I've been speaking to people and they are absolutely stunned. The plane seems to have stalled mid manoeuvre and came crashing down on the A27. |
The acrid smell and thick black smoke has just been fanning across the area and the skies are completely quiet. | The acrid smell and thick black smoke has just been fanning across the area and the skies are completely quiet. |
Shoreham Airshow also tweeted: "There has been a major incident outside the airfield boundary. | Shoreham Airshow also tweeted: "There has been a major incident outside the airfield boundary. |
"The emergency services are responding. Updates will follow when available." | "The emergency services are responding. Updates will follow when available." |
In a statement police said: "At about 1.20pm the aircraft hit several cars on the A27 just to the north of Shoreham Airport, where an air display is taking place. | In a statement police said: "At about 1.20pm the aircraft hit several cars on the A27 just to the north of Shoreham Airport, where an air display is taking place. |
"The aircraft ended up in a bush. There have been several casualties but we have no further information on these at the moment." | "The aircraft ended up in a bush. There have been several casualties but we have no further information on these at the moment." |
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokesman said: "The AAIB is aware of the incident and we will be deploying a team to investigate." | |
It is the second incident at the Shoreham Airshow in recent years. In September 2007 James Bond stuntman Brian Brown, 49, died when he crashed a World War Two Hurricane after carrying out an unplanned barrel roll at a re-enactment of the Battle of Britain. | It is the second incident at the Shoreham Airshow in recent years. In September 2007 James Bond stuntman Brian Brown, 49, died when he crashed a World War Two Hurricane after carrying out an unplanned barrel roll at a re-enactment of the Battle of Britain. |
Hawker Hunter | |
The Hawker Hunter was a mainstay of the RAF through the 1950s and early 1960s. | |
First flown in 1951, the single-seat plane was used as a fighter, fighter-bomber for reconnaissance and for aerobatics. | |
There was also a two-seat trainer version, which served with many other air forces. Two-seater variants are still used by the RAF for training. | |
The Hunter Hawker was deployed in major operations such as Malaya and Suez. | |
The plane was also flown by an RAF display team dubbed the "Black Arrows". | |
Are you in area? Did you witness the crash? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. | Are you in area? Did you witness the crash? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |