Shoreham Airshow Crash: Sussex Remembers 11 Victims a Decade On

This week marks 10 years since the Shoreham Airshow disaster, one of the darkest days in Sussex’s recent history. On 22 August 2015, a vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed during a display at the Shoreham Airshow, claiming the lives of 11 men and leaving many more injured and traumatised. The crash sent shockwaves across the […]

This week marks 10 years since the Shoreham Airshow disaster, one of the darkest days in Sussex’s recent history.

On 22 August 2015, a vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed during a display at the Shoreham Airshow, claiming the lives of 11 men and leaving many more injured and traumatised. The crash sent shockwaves across the county and beyond, forever changing the way airshows in the UK are regulated.

A Community in Mourning

What should have been a summer day of excitement and spectacle quickly turned to tragedy when the jet came down onto the A27, striking cars and pedestrians. In the hours and days that followed, the community came together in grief and solidarity.

Memorials were created along the roadside, flowers and tributes lined the bridge over the River Adur, and candlelit vigils were held as Sussex united to honour the victims.

Remembering the Victims

The 11 men who lost their lives were fathers, sons, partners, and friends. Their loss has left a lasting mark not only on their families but also on the wider Shoreham and Sussex community.

Those who died were:

• Anthony David Brightwell, 53, of Hove
• Daniele Gaetano Polito, 23, of Goring-by-Sea
• Dylan Archer, 42, of Brighton
• Jacob Henry Schilt, 23, of Brighton
• James Graham Mallinson, 72, of Newick
• Mark Alexander Reeves, 53, of Seaford
• Mark James Trussler, 54, of Worthing
• Matthew Grimstone, 23, of Brighton
• Matthew Wesley Jones, 24, of Littlehampton
• Maurice Rex Abrahams, 76, of Brighton
• Richard Jonathan Smith, 26, of Hove

Their memory has endured not only through their families but also in the hearts of the wider Sussex community who still pause to reflect on their lives each August.

Lasting Impact and Safety Changes

The tragedy also reshaped the future of airshows across the country. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) introduced stricter rules and safety measures for flying displays, ensuring lessons were learned and such devastation would never be repeated.

10 Years On – Tributes and Reflection

This year, on the 10th anniversary, families, survivors, and residents are expected to gather at the Shoreham Tollbridge memorial to pay their respects. The bridge, which became a focal point for remembrance in 2015, still stands as a symbol of resilience and community spirit.

Moving Forward, Never Forgetting

As the county pauses to reflect 10 years on, the Shoreham tragedy remains a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of community.

The victims’ families have often spoken of their wish that their loved ones are remembered not only for how they died, but for how they lived — as much-loved individuals whose lives touched so many others.

Today, a decade later, Sussex remembers.