Shoreham Airshow crash pilot Andy Hill 'improving'

Investigators are waiting to speak to pilot Andy Hill, police said

A pilot who was left in a critical condition when a vintage jet he was flying crashed during the Shoreham Airshow is improving, Sussex Police said.

Detectives and investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) want to interview Andy Hill as soon as possible.

Reports that Mr Hill, 51, has left hospital are unconfirmed by police.

Eleven people died when the Hawker Hunter jet plummeted on to the A27.

'Kept in coma'

The former RAF pilot from Sandon, near Buntingford in Hertfordshire, was placed in a medically-induced coma at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after the crash, and was later moved to a specialist hospital.

An initial AAIB report said Mr Hill was thrown clear of the aircraft during the later part of the crash.

It said it was not clear whether he initiated his ejection.

After the crash, the pilot's family issued a statement which said they were devastated and deeply saddened by the loss of life and sent prayers and heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected.

A friend also described him as an expert pilot.

The victims:

(Top row, left to right) Matt Jones, Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt, Maurice Abrahams, Richard Smith. (Bottom row, left to right) Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell, Mark Trussler, Daniele Polito, Dylan Archer, Graham Mallinson

• Matt Jones, a 24-year-old personal trainer

• Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer who worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion

• Jacob Schilt, also 23 and also a Worthing United player, was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone

• Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day

• Friends Richard Smith, 26, and Dylan Archer, 42, who were going for a bike ride on the South Downs

• Mark Reeves, 53, had ridden his motorcycle to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photos of the planes

• Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove was an aircraft enthusiast and had learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield

• Mark Trussler, 54, is thought to have been riding his motorcycle on the A27

• Daniele Polito was travelling in the same car as Mr Jones

• Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, was a keen photographer and retired engineer