Shoreham air disaster final report delayed

Eleven men died after a vintage jet crashed on to the A27

Publication of a report into the Shoreham air disaster in which 11 men were killed has been delayed, the BBC has learned.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) had hoped to publish its findings later this year.

But the BBC was told the report has been put back following a request for more time to respond by one of the parties involved.

A vintage jet crashed on to the A27 at the Shoreham air show in August 2015.

The pilot, Andrew Hill, 51, survived the crash and is being investigated for manslaughter.

Plans were put in place for an inquest to begin in March, but neither Sussex Police's investigation nor the full AAIB report have yet been published.

The police report is not expected until the new year at the earliest.

West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield said this month she was anxious to ensure the inquests are dealt with in a timely manner, but it was anticipated little progress could be made without the police and AAIB reports.

(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

The victims:

• 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