Attention Turns To Full Inquest As Pilot Cleared Of 11 Counts of Manslaughter

Families affected by the Shoreham Airshow disaster more than three-and-a-half years ago say the end of the criminal trial is just the next step in their search for answers - with attention now turning to the Inquest which will be able to examine more than just the pilot’s actions.

Specialist aviation lawyers at Irwin Mitchell represent 17 people affected by the crash including families who lost loved ones and those who were injured. Many are still receiving therapy to help them recover from the horrific scenes they witnessed when the Hunter Hawker plane crashed, killing 11 people on 22nd August 2015. 

Pilot Andy Hill, 54, of Sandon, Hertfordshire, was cleared of 11 counts of manslaughter after a lengthy trial at the Old Bailey.

Rebecca Smith, one of the expert aviation lawyers at Irwin Mitchell representing those affected said: 

Expert Opinion

“Now that the criminal proceedings have concluded attention will now turn to the Inquest where the entirety of the Shoreham Airshow tragedy can be fully examined. While the criminal trial purely looked into the actions of the pilot involved, the Inquest will be able to investigate the wider organisation and planning of the event including the safety precautions taken, the aircraft involved, location of spectators and the management of the pilots.

“While there have been some recommendations from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) following their early reports, it is only once the whole event has been examined at the Inquest that lessons can be fully learned to prevent something like this from ever happening again.

“Hopefully then the families and those affected will finally have all the answers they need to be able to begin to move on from this tragedy.” Rebecca Smith - Other

A new date for the Inquest has yet to be confirmed by the Coroner.

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