Shoreham plane crash: Wedding limousine hit in deadly airshow accident
The limousine's roof was torn off by the impact
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A wedding limousine on its way to pick up a bride was one of the vehicles hit in the Shoreham airshow plane crash, in which at least seven people died when a fighter jet crashed into a busy motorway.
The jet, a Hawker Hunter which was developed in the 1950s, failed to pull out of a loop manoeuvre and crashed into busy traffic on the A27 dual carriageway in west Sussex.
The pilot, Andy Hill, was flown to the Royal Sussex hospital, where he is fighting for his life.
At least seven were killed and a further 14 people were injured in the crash, which occurred in front of thousands of spectators at the Shoreham Airshow at around 1:20pm on Saturday 22 August.
According to the Sun on Sunday, the Daimler wedding limousine had its roof ripped off by the impact of the crash.
Jay Sherwin from Chariot Chauffeurs, the company that owned the car, told the paper: "I can confirm that it is one of our cars but at this stage I do not know what happened to the driver."
Seven are so far confirmed as dead, but police warn that more bodies may be found as investigators and the emergency services continue to search the wreckage.
Onlookers reported seeing the plane flying low to the ground, followed by a huge ball of fire and black smoke.
Superintendent Jane Derrick of Sussex Police said: "Sadly we believe that seven people have lost their lives today when the jet crashed."
"As far as we are aware all those who sadly lost their lives were on the road, and it was nobody within the air show perimeter on the actual airport."
"At this time we are continuing to search ... the area to ensure that we have identified all the casualties.
"It is possible that tonight and tomorrow we are going to find more bodies at the scene."
David Learmount, a former pilot and RAF flying instructor, said that the chance of the plane coming down onto a road was "horrifically unlikely", adding: "These people died in an event which is equivalent to being struck by lightning."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments