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Shoreham disaster: Families gather for memorial service Shoreham disaster: Families gather for memorial service
(about 2 hours later)
Families of the men who died in the Shoreham air disaster have gathered for a memorial service in West Sussex. Families of the men who died in the Shoreham air disaster have attended a memorial service in West Sussex.
Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and paramedics are also at the event, organised by emergency workers and community leaders. Hundreds of firefighters, police officers and paramedics were also at the event, organised by emergency workers and community leaders.
The service is taking place in Lancing College's gothic chapel which overlooks the scene of the devastating crash. The service took place in Lancing College's gothic chapel, overlooking the scene of the devastating crash.
Names of the victims were read out ahead of a minute's silence at 13:22 GMT, the time of the crash.Names of the victims were read out ahead of a minute's silence at 13:22 GMT, the time of the crash.
The congregation was then asked to sit in silence while candles were lit by representatives of each family in memory of those who died. The congregation then sat in silence while candles were lit by representatives of each family in memory of those who died.
The BBC's Neil Pringle said there was "a stillness here in the chapel, a huge space, with the sun streaming in and 800 people sitting very quietly, solemnly, alone in their own thoughts". Eleven men were killed in the crash on 22 August when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet failed to complete a loop at the annual Shoreham air show and plummeted into the busy A27.
'Horror and disbelief'
Readings were given by family members and personal reflections of the rescue effort were read by emergency service personnel.Readings were given by family members and personal reflections of the rescue effort were read by emergency service personnel.
Paul Sutton, chief executive of SECamb, spoke of the "difficult and challenging" task the ambulance service faced, and said: "I can never be more proud of what our staff do and did that day." Sean Ruth, chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said there was no time for crews to prepare mentally for what they were to deal with, "but in spite of that they did what we expect of them".
Sussex Police Chief Constable Giles York spoke of how "a day like any other" turned out to be anything but for the 18 officers who reported for duty that morning.
He told the service: "They watched in horror and disbelief, with everyone else, as the plane came down... The scale and nature of the incident made it one of the most challenging scenes ever faced by the emergency services in this county.
"Thoughts constantly turned to the fact that there would be families with loved ones who would not be returning home."
And Paul Sutton, chief executive of SECamb, spoke of the "difficult and challenging" task the ambulance service faced, and said: "I can never be more proud of what our staff do and did that day."
He added: "Most poignantly in our minds are the families of those who sadly lost loved ones. Even the protection of a uniform cannot prepare someone for those memories."
At the scene: The BBC's Chris Bennett
Eleven candles, each lit by the families of one of those lost, flickered in the broad nave of Lancing College Chapel.
At 1.22pm - three months to the minute since the crash - those gathered fell silent for a minute to remember.
This was a personal and intimate service, where the families, the emergency services and people from the wider community recalled with sadness and affection the 11 men - fathers, sons and brothers - who died on a summer's day.
Below the chapel, in the Adur Valley, you can see the old toll bridge that crosses the river and which, within days, was covered by flowers and tributes by local people.
A permanent memorial is planned. And, if you wanted a sign that Sussex people still care and care deeply, then you saw it today in Lancing College Chapel.
'Terrible loss''Terrible loss'
Eleven men were killed on 22 August when a vintage Hawker Hunter jet failed to complete a loop at the annual Shoreham air show and plummeted into the busy A27.
In the days after the crash, thousands of flowers, cards, pictures and messages of condolence were left on the Shoreham Tollbridge, which became known as the "Bridge of Flowers".In the days after the crash, thousands of flowers, cards, pictures and messages of condolence were left on the Shoreham Tollbridge, which became known as the "Bridge of Flowers".
Some of the thousands of messages left were on view at the chapel, alongside several books of condolence.Some of the thousands of messages left were on view at the chapel, alongside several books of condolence.
Shoreham MP Tim Loughton said: "We hope the service will support the families as they struggle to come to terms with such terrible loss.
"We also hope it will support those first on the scene, many of whom must be struggling with the burden of what they saw that day."
MPs and local dignitaries were present and the Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, led prayers.MPs and local dignitaries were present and the Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, led prayers.
Dr Warner said the service was an "opportunity to come together and face the terrible trauma" of that day. Dr Warner said the tragedy "sliced through the fabric of our life" and left one unanswerable question: Why?"
He praised the "human courage, generosity and compassion" of the emergency services and said this was a time when "grief must blend with love" in a celebration of those who died.
Afterwards, Communities Secretary Greg Clark, who attended the service, expressed his sympathies to the grieving friends and relatives.
And he hailed the "bravery and professionalism" of West Sussex's emergency teams, describing them as "world class".
Shoreham crash: What we knowShoreham crash: What we know
The victims:The victims: