Stewarts represented the majority of the families who lost their loved ones in the Shoreham Airshow Disaster at the long awaited inquest this December.

The Inquest heard that there were a number of actions the pilot could have, and should have, taken which would have avoided this disaster. Simply put, his actions/inactions fell below the standard that can be expected. Accidents at airshows are foreseeable and there should be no room for complacency.

The Inquest also heard that the planning, organisation and preparation for the Airshow was woefully inadequate. The lack of inter-agency communication and proper risk management in relation to safeguarding members of the public outside the show, including by-standers was stark. The risk assessment was not fit for purpose in identifying and mitigating the risk to public.

Senior Coroner Schofield has concluded today that eleven innocent men were unlawfully killed as a result.

Sarah Stewart, Partner at Stewarts, says:

“The Family of Graham Mallinson and the other families we represent would like to thank the Senior Coroner for her thorough investigation. The Senior Coroner has found that the deaths of the eleven innocent men in the Shoreham Airshow disaster on 22 August 2015 were avoidable. The bereaved families have waited more than seven years to reach this point and although the Senior Coroner’s conclusion will not ease the pain of their loss, their voices have been heard.”

You can find further information regarding our expertise, experience and team on our Aviation pages.

If you require assistance from our team, please contact us.

Subscribe – In order to receive our news straight to your inbox, subscribe here. Our newsletters are sent no more than once a month.