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| Shoreham Airshow crash: Police investigated over 'inappropriate and offensive' message | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Two police officers are under investigation for gross misconduct after allegedly sending an "inappropriate and offensive" message with a video from the scene of the Shoreham air crash. | |
| The unnamed Sussex Police staff, based in Brighton, were reported to the force’s Professional Standards Department by a colleague who was sent a private message over social media containing the footage. | |
| A spokesperson said the allegation was “particularly upsetting” in relation to last month’s disaster, which killed 11 people. A huge fireball erupted after the jet crashed into the dual carriageway (EPA) | A spokesperson said the allegation was “particularly upsetting” in relation to last month’s disaster, which killed 11 people. A huge fireball erupted after the jet crashed into the dual carriageway (EPA) |
| He told The Independent that the short video showed no details of the crash but that the accompanying message was "inappropriate and offensive", and would not be disclosed to avoid further distress. | |
| Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “I cannot emphasise how upset I am that we are investigating such an allegation. | Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “I cannot emphasise how upset I am that we are investigating such an allegation. |
| “My colleagues have informed the victims' families and apologised to them for the unnecessary distress it will undoubtedly cause them. The damaged remains of the fuselage of a Hawker Hunter fighter jet are lifted by a crane | |
| “They are disappointed as we all are. Such an allegation impacts on everyone who was affected by the crash and detracts from the professionalism of hundreds of colleagues who have worked so tirelessly on this operation. | “They are disappointed as we all are. Such an allegation impacts on everyone who was affected by the crash and detracts from the professionalism of hundreds of colleagues who have worked so tirelessly on this operation. |
| “All our efforts are focused on providing the families with the answers they are looking for.” | |
| Deputy Chief Constable Pinkney said the officers were “quite new in service” and have been “assigned duties away from public contact”, although not suspended, while the investigation continues. | Deputy Chief Constable Pinkney said the officers were “quite new in service” and have been “assigned duties away from public contact”, although not suspended, while the investigation continues. |
| They were among the emergency services at the scene of the disaster on 22 August, when a Hawker Hunter vintage aircraft failed to pull out of a loop at the Shoreham Airshow and crashed on the A27. | They were among the emergency services at the scene of the disaster on 22 August, when a Hawker Hunter vintage aircraft failed to pull out of a loop at the Shoreham Airshow and crashed on the A27. |
| Some of the victims, aged between 23 and 76, had been driving or cycling along the road, while others had gathered to watch the displays. | Some of the victims, aged between 23 and 76, had been driving or cycling along the road, while others had gathered to watch the displays. |
| The plane's 51-year-old pilot, Andrew Hill, was seriously injured in the crash and is in a stable condition in hospital. | The plane's 51-year-old pilot, Andrew Hill, was seriously injured in the crash and is in a stable condition in hospital. |
| A preliminary report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found that he was 200ft above sea level when he started the manoeuvre - 300ft lower that his licence permitted. | A preliminary report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found that he was 200ft above sea level when he started the manoeuvre - 300ft lower that his licence permitted. |
| An inquest into the deaths was opened and adjourned at a hearing in Horsham last Wednesday. | An inquest into the deaths was opened and adjourned at a hearing in Horsham last Wednesday. |