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Five days after Shoreham air crash, enthusiasts gather for Clacton show Five days after Shoreham air crash, enthusiasts gather for Clacton show
(about 3 hours later)
Huddled behind windbreaks and dressed in waterproofs against an unseasonably grey and blustery day, locals and airshow enthusiasts gathered along Clacton seafront on Thursday for the opening of the first such event since last weekend’s air crash at Shoreham.Huddled behind windbreaks and dressed in waterproofs against an unseasonably grey and blustery day, locals and airshow enthusiasts gathered along Clacton seafront on Thursday for the opening of the first such event since last weekend’s air crash at Shoreham.
None of the dramatic loop-the-loops, dives and stunts – which drew 200,000 spectators at the annual unticketed event on the Essex coast last year – take place over land, but instead are performed high over the sea, rendering the event immune from this week’s flyover restrictions imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.None of the dramatic loop-the-loops, dives and stunts – which drew 200,000 spectators at the annual unticketed event on the Essex coast last year – take place over land, but instead are performed high over the sea, rendering the event immune from this week’s flyover restrictions imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
But the accident, which saw a 1950s Hawker Hunter fighter jet crash into the A27 last Saturday, killing as many as 11 people, was not far from the minds of spectators and those involved in the show.But the accident, which saw a 1950s Hawker Hunter fighter jet crash into the A27 last Saturday, killing as many as 11 people, was not far from the minds of spectators and those involved in the show.
The two-day free event, in its 24th year, began with a short memorial to the family and friends of those who lost their lives during the Shoreham airshow. Flight commentator Peter McNamara paid tribute to those affected by the accident. After a period of silence, he said: “We now look forward to today’s flying programme but will not forget the events of five days ago and their impact on so many lives.”The two-day free event, in its 24th year, began with a short memorial to the family and friends of those who lost their lives during the Shoreham airshow. Flight commentator Peter McNamara paid tribute to those affected by the accident. After a period of silence, he said: “We now look forward to today’s flying programme but will not forget the events of five days ago and their impact on so many lives.”
Spectators, sitting in groups on camping chairs, their fleeces and anoraks pulled around them, stretched for a good half mile along the sand and the promenade beyond, while locals made use of their beach huts and balconies to watch.Spectators, sitting in groups on camping chairs, their fleeces and anoraks pulled around them, stretched for a good half mile along the sand and the promenade beyond, while locals made use of their beach huts and balconies to watch.
As they gazed out at the gunmetal sky for the star attractions – the RAF’s Red Arrows and two vintage jets, the MiG-15 and the 55-year-old Vulcan XH558 bomber, here on its last ever flight – some talked about their sadness at the loss of life last week.As they gazed out at the gunmetal sky for the star attractions – the RAF’s Red Arrows and two vintage jets, the MiG-15 and the 55-year-old Vulcan XH558 bomber, here on its last ever flight – some talked about their sadness at the loss of life last week.
There was support for the restrictions imposed by the CAA, especially the grounding of the Hawker Hunters. But, as the investigation into the causes of the crash continued, most said they believed it was a freak accident, with few safety implications for the Clacton show.There was support for the restrictions imposed by the CAA, especially the grounding of the Hawker Hunters. But, as the investigation into the causes of the crash continued, most said they believed it was a freak accident, with few safety implications for the Clacton show.
The airshow was granted clearance by the CAA without modifications, but on Wednesday, during a week in which those believed to have been killed in Shoreham’s tragedy were still being identified, the show’s organisers took a decision to restrict the aerobatic display of the more agile of the two jets taking part, the MiG-15.The airshow was granted clearance by the CAA without modifications, but on Wednesday, during a week in which those believed to have been killed in Shoreham’s tragedy were still being identified, the show’s organisers took a decision to restrict the aerobatic display of the more agile of the two jets taking part, the MiG-15.
Mike Carron, the airshow event director, said: “We are asking pilots of the vintage jet to adapt the display, to tone it down. It was something we discussed with the flight director and it was felt it was the right thing to do in terms of sensitivity and safety.”Mike Carron, the airshow event director, said: “We are asking pilots of the vintage jet to adapt the display, to tone it down. It was something we discussed with the flight director and it was felt it was the right thing to do in terms of sensitivity and safety.”
Almost 60 vintage jets, including 14 of the Hawker Hunter jets – the aircraft involved in Saturday’s crash – have been grounded altogether by the CAA. A number of others, dating from 1949, have been subjected to flying restrictions, barring them from performing high-risk manoeuvres, such as loop-the-loops over land.Almost 60 vintage jets, including 14 of the Hawker Hunter jets – the aircraft involved in Saturday’s crash – have been grounded altogether by the CAA. A number of others, dating from 1949, have been subjected to flying restrictions, barring them from performing high-risk manoeuvres, such as loop-the-loops over land.
For some spectators, the events of five days ago were still raw, although many took comfort in the unique nature of the Clacton show, which they felt was safer, at least for spectators. Rhyl, the other large airshow set to go ahead this weekend, also has its displays over the sea.For some spectators, the events of five days ago were still raw, although many took comfort in the unique nature of the Clacton show, which they felt was safer, at least for spectators. Rhyl, the other large airshow set to go ahead this weekend, also has its displays over the sea.
Earlier this week, the organisers of CarFest South, in Hampshire, a sister show founded by Chris Evans, the DJ and new Top Gear host, cancelled a flying display.Earlier this week, the organisers of CarFest South, in Hampshire, a sister show founded by Chris Evans, the DJ and new Top Gear host, cancelled a flying display.
Among those restricted were five Folland Gnat jets, similar to the one involved in the crash at CarFest North show in Cheshire earlier this month in which the pilot, Kevin Whyman, was killed.Among those restricted were five Folland Gnat jets, similar to the one involved in the crash at CarFest North show in Cheshire earlier this month in which the pilot, Kevin Whyman, was killed.
There was a strong feeling among the Clacton crowds that this very British tradition should continue, particularly here, where there has never been an accident, according to organisers.There was a strong feeling among the Clacton crowds that this very British tradition should continue, particularly here, where there has never been an accident, according to organisers.
Jo Fogg, 48, a course administrator for teacher’ training, from Bexley in Kent, said she was here because she had become “addicted to the Red Arrows”. Fogg, who brought her daughter, Lia, 15, along, said she first saw them at Herne Bay in Kent a few weeks ago.Jo Fogg, 48, a course administrator for teacher’ training, from Bexley in Kent, said she was here because she had become “addicted to the Red Arrows”. Fogg, who brought her daughter, Lia, 15, along, said she first saw them at Herne Bay in Kent a few weeks ago.
“I’ve seen them on telly. But, oh, in real life! I cried. I was so emotional. It’s silly but I felt proud to be British, the way they were flying in formation.”“I’ve seen them on telly. But, oh, in real life! I cried. I was so emotional. It’s silly but I felt proud to be British, the way they were flying in formation.”
She admitted that the accident at Shoreham weighed on her mind.She admitted that the accident at Shoreham weighed on her mind.
“Some of the stunts worry me. I don’t want to see anyone crash, but I’m aware it’s over the sea. The people who are grieving I can see why they might want it stopped. But it would be a shame if it were stopped.”“Some of the stunts worry me. I don’t want to see anyone crash, but I’m aware it’s over the sea. The people who are grieving I can see why they might want it stopped. But it would be a shame if it were stopped.”
Samira Aoumeur, 18, a student from London, who was visiting her grandparents and was sitting on a blanket with her mother and three siblings, said: “The tragedy at Shoreham was horrible, very sad. But it’s nice that all the local community gather to see this.”Samira Aoumeur, 18, a student from London, who was visiting her grandparents and was sitting on a blanket with her mother and three siblings, said: “The tragedy at Shoreham was horrible, very sad. But it’s nice that all the local community gather to see this.”
She was interrupted by a loud cheer, as “Peter” the pilot of a strange contraption called an autogiro, brought the helicopter-like aircraft sputtering and circling over the grey-brown ocean, billowing thick smoke of a colour to match it.She was interrupted by a loud cheer, as “Peter” the pilot of a strange contraption called an autogiro, brought the helicopter-like aircraft sputtering and circling over the grey-brown ocean, billowing thick smoke of a colour to match it.
“Give Peter a wave,” said the commentator.“Give Peter a wave,” said the commentator.
John Messent, 41, a firefighter from Wivenhoe, Essex, who was with his son Ryan, 8, said that he had been called to jet aircraft crashes in the past with his job. “You know plane crashes are going to happen,” he said. “We don’t know what caused Shoreham, but these are freak accidents not regular occurrences.”
He pointed to the orange buoys out at sea, part of the exclusion zone drawn up by the organisers to ensure the aircraft were displaying far from the crowds. “It is as safe as it can be,” he said. “This is important to the local economy, it brings people together.”
Related: Lessons to be learned from Shoreham air tragedy | LettersRelated: Lessons to be learned from Shoreham air tragedy | Letters
Airshow director Carron said he believed the restrictions imposed by the CAA were proportionate. “In light of what was such an awful incident, it’s understandable that these new restrictions are being put in place, particularly until the outcome of the inquiry.”Airshow director Carron said he believed the restrictions imposed by the CAA were proportionate. “In light of what was such an awful incident, it’s understandable that these new restrictions are being put in place, particularly until the outcome of the inquiry.”
But he believes airshows should continue. “There’s a huge appetite for airshows,” he said. “It’s part of British culture, a spectacular demonstration of British engineering and skill. It makes people proud.”But he believes airshows should continue. “There’s a huge appetite for airshows,” he said. “It’s part of British culture, a spectacular demonstration of British engineering and skill. It makes people proud.”