Red Arrows death crash pilot Jon Egging memorial unveiled

The artwork features three glass Red Arrows planes

A sculpture has been unveiled in Dorset as a memorial to a Red Arrows pilot who died after an airshow display.

Flt Lt Jon Egging, 33, of Rutland, died when his Hawk T1 aircraft crashed following a display at the 2011 Bournemouth Air Festival.

The 5m-high artwork on Bournemouth's East Overcliff was unveiled at a private ceremony ahead of this year's airshow, which starts on Thursday.

It features three glass Red Arrows planes and stainless steel contrails.

The pilot's widow, Dr Emma Egging, said: "It's an absolute privilege to see the memorial being unveiled. But of course being here will always remind me of Jon and last year.

"Jon loved being in the Red Arrows and the memorial encapsulates the spirit of the team, the positivity and the idea that with hard work and determination you can achieve your dreams."

'Mark of respect'

Each contrail also has 60 coloured glass discs in the Red Arrow's traditional colours of red, white and blue.

The one tonne sculpture, created by Tim Ward, of Circling the Square, was designed by Penny Vallier, 10, and George Cutler, nine, from Kinson Primary School in Bournemouth.

Their design was chosen by Dr Egging following a competition held at Bournemouth schools last year.

Among the members of the Red Arrows who attended the unveiling, Flt Lt Ben Plank said: "For me it is a reflection of the support the team have received from the people of Bournemouth.

Members of the Red Arrows attended the unveiling on Bournemouth seafront

"After the tragedy of last year, the team was overwhelmed to have that support behind us when we needed it."

Councillor John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, said the memorial would serve as "a long-standing mark of respect from the people of Bournemouth".

Flt Lt Egging, who grew up in Southam, Warwickshire, was killed when his aircraft crashed into a field at the village of Throop, near Bournemouth Airport, on 20 August last year.

The 2012 Bournemouth Air Festival runs until Sunday.