Police have warned the death toll from the Shoreham Airshow crash could rise, with at least 11 people currently feared dead.
The incident happened at 1.20pm on Saturday (22 August), when a Hawker Hunter jet crashed on to the A27 while performing an aerial display.
Police have warned the death toll may rise further as more bodies could be found after a crane is employed to remove the jet.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced: 'Flying displays over land by vintage jet aircraft will be significantly restricted until further notice. They will be limited to flypasts, which means ‘high energy’ aerobatics will not be permitted.'
South East Coast Ambulance Service has confirmed seven fatalities were declared at the scene, one patient with serious life-threatening injuries has been transported to Royal Sussex County Hospital and a further 14 patients treated for minor injuries.
Emergency services, the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and Highways England are working together to deal with the incident, with the road currently closed in both directions between the A2025, near Lancing and A293, near Shoreham-by-Sea.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible and will be told once it is safe to re-open the road.
The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) and Shoreham Airshow said in a statement: 'Our thoughts are with those who have been killed or injured, their families and friends and all those who have been affected by the events.
'We would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services for their work at this distressing time. Sussex Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch have asked that anyone with photographs or video footage that may help with their investigations should send their contact details to shoreham.aircrash2015@sussex.pnn.police.uk
'Do not send files, just contact details and information about the material you have.'
Those with information can also call the police on or police on 01273 470101.
The airshow's Twitter feed, advised that those with a car, camper van or van in Shoreham Air Show car parks, should collect them at the earliest opportunity.
'Cars can be collected from Shoreham Air Show, all entry and exit is from the A259 except for high sided vehicles which will be guided out. Vans, caravans and some lorries now leaving site by an improvised route to the A27 under RAFA staff supervision,' it said.
In a statement, Highways England said: 'Those travelling westbound are advised to exit the A27 before the closure at the A283 junction and join the A283 north towards Washington, join the A24 south and re-join the A27 following the hollow black triangle symbol.
'Those travelling eastbound should exit the A27 before the closure at the A24 junction, join the A24 north towards Washington, join the A283 south and re-join the A27 following the hollow black diamond symbol.
'This diversion route is in place due to an exclusion zone around the incident and drivers following it are advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.'
Once a police and AAIB investigation has been carried out at the scene, Highways England will need to carry out repairs to the damaged road.
The pilot, Andy Hill, 51, from Hertfordshire, is in a critical condition in hospital after being pulled from the wreckage.
RAFA also said in a statement: 'The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety standards that must be met by all major civil air displays in the UK are among the very highest in the world. All air display arrangements, including the pilots and aircraft, must meet rigorous safety requirements and are regularly reviewed to ensure they provide the highest possible levels of protection. |
'At Shoreham we have always taken those safety arrangements very seriously. The team at Shoreham have many years of experience in running air shows throughout the UK and all aircraft have to be certificated and all pilots authorised by the CAA before they are allowed to undertake display routines at any air show. The air show itself has to meet rigorous safety standards that are laid down by the CAA who review these on an ongoing basis.'
Calls have been made to bring in tighter regulations around airshows and ban them over land.