Shoreham air crash: Pilot drops challenge on inquest verdict

Pilot Andrew Hill was acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter in 2019

The pilot whose plane crashed at the Shoreham Airshow, killing 11 men, has dropped his bid to challenge the inquest verdict of unlawful killing.

Pilot Andrew Hill was cleared of gross negligence manslaughter at a criminal trial in 2019.

In December, a coroner ruled all 11 had been unlawfully killed.

The West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner said Mr Hill would now not be making a request for an oral hearing to challenge that decision.

The 11 men died on 22 August 2015, when a Hawker Hunter plane that was taking part in the Shoreham Airshow crashed on the A27 while performing a stunt.

A vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27 killing 11 men in 2015

Anthony Mallinson, the son of 72-year-old Graham Mallinson, who died in the crash, said he was "utterly relieved".

"We felt in December that we would be able to grieve quietly for our loved ones. But when we heard there was a judicial review, it was almost like how can we grieve for our loved ones properly when we've got all this legal wrangling still going on," he said.

"We all feel now that the legal proceedings have concluded and it's time for us to be able to grieve for our loved one properly and quietly."

He added: "Finally justice does now stand."

At the inquest into their deaths, senior coroner Penelope Schofield concluded the men had died as a result of the manner in which the plane was being flown, and recorded that they had been unlawfully killed.

Mr Hill sought to challenge the conclusion by applying for a judicial review. The application was refused by the High Court.

A spokesperson for the West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner said: "Further to the High Court's decision to refuse permission for Mr Hill to proceed with the judicial review, Mr Hill has now advised that he will not be making a request for an oral hearing to challenge that decision."

Sarah Stewart, of law firm Stewarts, who acted for the majority of the families, said the relatives of the deceased could "continue their healing process in peace".

"The families look forward to putting this chapter firmly behind them, safe in the knowledge that their voices have finally been heard," she said.

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