‘I can’t believe I escaped this’: Shoreham Airshow crash makes national news

THE SHOREHAM Airshow crash dominated the front pages of the national tabloids and broadsheets this morning (Sunday, August 23).
DM156570a.jpg Shoreham Airshow 2015. Crash. Photo by Derek MartinDM156570a.jpg Shoreham Airshow 2015. Crash. Photo by Derek Martin
DM156570a.jpg Shoreham Airshow 2015. Crash. Photo by Derek Martin

The tragic event, which saw a Hawker Hunter plane plummet into the A27, killing seven people, was featured on the front pages of six nationals.

Leading with a full page picture of a huge fireball as the plane hit the ground was the Sunday Mirror – a picture also used by the Sunday Times.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Mirror reports the headline ‘I can’t believe I escaped this’, telling the story of a hero dad, Terry Smith, 50, who bundled his eight-year-old daughter to safety before helping others affected.

Mr Smith told the Mirror: “There was this huge fireball and as it went past, it was like something out of a horror movie. It turned into a big black fireball as it went past.

“I just grabbed my daughter and we ran towards the bushes instinctively. I got hit by some of the debris, it scuffed my leg but I wasn’t injured.

“The fireball was just immense. It was searing heat I could feel burning my skin.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The press conference, held at Sussex Police HQ in Lewes last night, provided updates for many of the nationals,

The Express carried the headline ‘Air show disaster’, with a photograph of the fireball, while the independent went for a white headline on a black background, reading ‘Seven die as plane crashes into weekend traffic’.

The Telegraph used a screenshot from a video, which detailed the moment of impact captured by an eyewitness.

Finally, the Observer carried a smaller story on its front page, confirming seven had been killed in the disaster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.