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Funeral for Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham Funeral for RAF Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham
(about 2 hours later)
Hundreds of people are at Coventry Cathedral for the funeral of Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham. Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham at Coventry Cathedral.
Flt Lt Cunningham, 35, was killed when he was ejected from his Hawk T1 aircraft while on the runway at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire on 8 November.Flt Lt Cunningham, 35, was killed when he was ejected from his Hawk T1 aircraft while on the runway at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire on 8 November.
An independent inquiry is being carried out to establish the circumstances of the incident.An independent inquiry is being carried out to establish the circumstances of the incident.
It followed the death in August of Flt Lt Jon Egging in a crash near Bournemouth.It followed the death in August of Flt Lt Jon Egging in a crash near Bournemouth.
A private family cremation will follow the funeral.
Book of condolenceBook of condolence
RAF colleagues and members of the public were expected to be among the mourners at Coventry Cathedral. Squadron Leader Jim Turner, the officer commanding the RAF aerobatic team, addressed about 800 mourners, including fellow RAF colleagues and members of the public.
He said he had only known Flt Lt Cunningham for four weeks but "took to him instantly."
He said: "Sean was a man who accomplished great things in his 35 years.
"Flying with the Red Arrows represented for Sean, as it does for all of us lucky enough to tread this hallowed path, the pinnacle of his flying career.
"His love of the job was obvious to see. His sense of excitement would grow as the time approached to go flying."
He described Flt Lt Cunningham as "charming, professional and dedicated" and said he always had a smile on his face.
The Reverend Colin Weir (Squadron Leader), from RAF Cosford, read a tribute on behalf of the family which described him as a "wonderful brother" of whom they were immensely proud.
A private family cremation followed the funeral.
A book of condolence has also been opened at RAF Scampton and via the Red Arrows website.A book of condolence has also been opened at RAF Scampton and via the Red Arrows website.
Iraq duty
Last month, Red Arrows enthusiasts gathered near RAF Waddington to lay flowers in memory of the pilot.Last month, Red Arrows enthusiasts gathered near RAF Waddington to lay flowers in memory of the pilot.
Flt Lt Cunningham joined the Red Arrows in September 2010 and had flown Red 3 through the 2011 display season.Flt Lt Cunningham joined the Red Arrows in September 2010 and had flown Red 3 through the 2011 display season.
He was educated at Ernesford Grange School in Coventry after moving to the UK from South Africa, aged nine.He was educated at Ernesford Grange School in Coventry after moving to the UK from South Africa, aged nine.
He qualified for his private pilot licence at the age of 17, before studying at Nottingham Trent University. He qualified for his private pilot licence at the age of 17 before studying at Nottingham Trent University.
In 2000, he joined the RAF and went on to fly Tornado GR4s with the 617 Dambusters Squadron. In 2000 he joined the RAF and went on to fly Tornado GR4s with the 617 Dambusters Squadron.
He took part in several operational tours of Iraq, before qualifying as a tactics and pilot instructor. He took part in several operational tours of Iraq before qualifying as a tactics and pilot instructor.