Shoreham disaster: 'Fitting, lasting tribute' to be created

The Old Shoreham Toll Bridge became know as the "Bridge of Flowers" following the air disaster

A permanent memorial is to be created as a "fitting, lasting tribute" to the 11 men who were killed in the Shoreham air disaster in August.

Adur District Council said it was looking into the possibility of a memorial walk along the River Adur.

People are being invited to submit their thoughts and suggestions to the shorehamremembers.org website.

A shortlist of ideas will be created in January, followed by a public consultation in March.

Eleven men were killed on 22 August when a vintage Hawker Hunter plummeted into the A27 in West Sussex during the Shoreham Air Show.

'Gathering support'

In a statement, Adur District Council said: "It has been suggested that a new memorial, close to both the river and the proposed site for a new slipway, could form the start and finish of a beautiful walk between the recreation ground and Old Tollbridge.

"This idea potentially also incorporates the temporary memorial board and archway erected by the county council in a meaningful way, and could create a multitude of spaces and perspectives for reflection along the walk's length."

It continues: "While other ideas are being invited this particular one appears to be currently gathering support throughout the community."

In the days after the crash, thousands of flowers, cards, pictures and messages of condolence were left on the Old Shoreham Toll Bridge, which became known as the "Bridge of Flowers".

A memorial service was held at Lancing College's gothic chapel on 22 November, three months after the disaster.

During the service, the Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, 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.

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