World

Air show crash death toll may rise further

21:01 pm on 24 August 2015

The final death toll from the crash of a vintage jet fighter from Britain's Shoreham air crash could rise to 20.

Photo: AFP / Citizenside / Mark Rutley

Eleven people are so far feared to have died when a Hawker Hunter jet plummeted on to a busy road after it failed to pull out of a loop manoeuvre during an aerial display on Saturda.

But with recovery of the wreckage of the aircraft expected to take place later tonight, police feared the number of dead could rise.

They said there were issues around fuel in the aircraft, and they had to make sure the ejector seat was still safe.

The pilot was pulled from the burning wreckage and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Specialist recovery teams have begun recovering bodies from the site.

The large crash site remains a hazardous area with fuel still on the plane.

Mr Barry said a crane would be brought in to lift the wreckage of the aircraft on Monday, when officers feared they may discover more dead.

He said the A27 may be closed for several days as the aircraft, vehicles and victims still had to be removed, and investigators had to carry out their work.

Police and emergency services personnel work at the scene Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, two light planes have collided in flight at an air show in Dittingen, Switzerland, killing one of the pilots. Police say the other pilot parachuted to safety.

- BBC