The moment the sun went out over Shoreham

The sun was shining brightly as people made their way to the annual Shoreham Airshow, but it would turn out to be the darkest of days in Sussex. 

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion. But Shoreham Airshow, the town's most popular event, had barely begun when disaster struck.

Thousands of people had arrived to watch the air displays for a fun family day out. No-one was expecting the horror which unfolded that afternoon.

It was 1.20pm, when a vintage Hawker Hunter aircraft performing a loop-the-loop, suddenly lost height and came down near to the north end of the airfield.

The aircraft hit several cars on the busy A27 road, before crashing into bushes.

Onlookers from the airshow gasped as they watched the plane burst into flames, but many did not realise the extent of what had just happened.

The atmosphere at the airshow was one of shock and confusion. There was little in the way of information. The organisers announced flying was suspended until further notice.

At the scene on the A27, 10 fire engines and numerous helicopters were deployed, with paramedics and police joining them to deal with what was fast becoming an extremely serious incident. 

Sussex Police released an official statement just after 2pm, confirming the A27 was closed, after an aircraft hit several cars. Several casualties were reported but no further information was given.

Images and videos of the disaster started to appear on social media, and the severity of the situation soon became clear. Eye-witnesses were tweeting what they had seen. The feeling from the local and online community was shock and devastation. 

The local and national press began rolling coverage, and it soon emerged at least seven people had died in the crash.

Later that afternoon, police confirmed the death toll of at least seven, and reported a further 14 walking wounded alongside another patient suffering life-threatening injuries. The latter turned out to be the pilot, Andrew Hill, who was pulled from the wreckage of the 1950s aircraft. A major incident was declared.

At the airshow, it was 5pm before visitors are able to leave on foot. Those who arrived by car were unable to leave the site. An hour later, organisers announced Sunday's flying was cancelled following the tragic events.

On Sunday morning, the crash dominated the newspapers, and recovery work began on the A27.

Names began to emerge of those who were thought to have died in the crash. The family of Matt Jones, 24, of Littlehampton, feared he had been caught up in the disaster. 

Two Worthing United footballers, Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both aged 23 and from Brighton, did not turn up for Saturday's match against Loxwood. They were also feared dead by their families and loved ones.

Tributes appeared on social media from those who knew the men, and from those who did not. The community grieved.

Worthing United paid an emotional tribute to the pair, and said: ''At this point, we donít know how or if we will cope with this.''

Local football clubs sent their condolences, including the Brighton and Hove Albion, where Mr Grimstone worked, and Mr Schilt was a supporter.

Albion manager Chris Hughton said: ''We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this news. Matt has been part of a great team we have at the club, and our thoughts go out to his and Jacob's families at this devastating time.''

The family of Matt Jones paid tribute to him - and said he was an ''amazing person''.

On Sunday, a special service was held at Shoreham's town church, St Mary de Haura, for people to pay their respects to those who had lost their lives. Father Paul Rampton led prayers and spoke movingly of the impact the incident had on the town and community.

Residents began laying flowers at the Old Toll Bridge at Shoreham, as a sign of respect for those who had lost their lives. There was a sense of quiet reflection and sadness in Shoreham and the surrounding areas.

It was on Sunday that police announced the death toll was ''at least 11''.

It soon emerged a wedding car was involved in the crash, and the chauffeur, who was on his way to pick up a bride in Goring, was likely to have died.

He was later named as Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton. 

His family paid tribute to him, and said he was ''a well-respected and loved father and husband''. 

Monday morning came around. Sussex residents returned to work, but something had changed. Shoreham remained the centre of the national news agenda, and at least four families were mourning the tragic death of their loved ones as a result of the crash.

Police announced the A27 was likely to remain closed until at least Saturday, a week after the accident, as investigations continued. Fears were expressed that the death toll could be as high as 20. The aircraft was removed from the scene with a crane on Monday afternoon, and as no other bodies were found, officers said they expected the death toll to remain at 11.

Steve Barry, assistant chief constable at Sussex Police said: ''Again I should like to pay tribute to everyone who has been affected by this horrific and tragic incident. 

''Not least, the local community who have responded magnificently, from the taxi firm who offered free lifts to the airport to those who needed to recover cars, to Brighton and Hove Albion who have generously allowed those working at the scene use of their splendid new facilities at Lancing.

''I appreciate that things will never be the same again in Shoreham, but would like to assure everyone affected by the incident that all of us working on the operation are determined that we will provide answers to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones and work as quickly as we can to complete our investigations and reopen the road.''

Penelope Schofield, the West Sussex senior coroner, asked for ''patience and understanding'' as it could take weeks to formally identify all of the victims of the crash. She said it would be ''a slow and painstaking operation''.

The pilot of the Hunter Hawker Mr Hill remained in a critical condition in hospital.

His family spoke out, and said: ''Following the tragic events at the Shoreham Airshow on Saturday, the pilot's family are devastated and deeply saddened for the loss of life, and they send their prayers and heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected at this difficult time.''

The incident continued to dominate the news, and was referred to as ''the worst airshow disaster in living memory.''

Floral tributes continued to be placed at the Shoreham Toll Bridge, in a show of respect from the wider community, to the victims of the tragedy.

On Thursday morning, a fifth victim was named by his family - Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford.

He had motorcycled to Shoreham to photograph the planes at the airshow, before being involved in the collision.

His family said: ''We will remember him as a gentle, loving, incredibly giving family man, husband to Wendy, father to Luke, granddad to three beautiful grand-daughters, brother to Denise and loving son of Ann and Kenneth.''

As the week goes on, no doubt the other victims' names will be revealed. The community will continue to mourn the loss of each and every person lost in this terrible incident.

Investigations are not only taking place to identify victims, but also to find out what happened.

There have been questions over whether the airshow can go ahead next year, and over whether vintage aircraft aerobatics are dangerous.

These are questions which will eventually be answered.

But one thing we do know, is that Saturday, August 22, is a day that Sussex will never forget.