Shoreham Airshow Crash: Artists Unveil Memorial To Victims

The memorial for Shoreham Airshow victims is in remembrance of the 11 people who died in August 2015 (Picture: PA).

The lives of the 11 men who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash are being remembered through a new memorial.

A series of arches, each individually designed in tribute to the victims, have opened to the public for the first time.

A vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed mid-display and exploded into a fireball on the A27 in West Sussex on August 22nd 2015.

The memorial sits on the banks of the River Adur by the Shoreham Toll Bridge, near the crash site.

Edwina Abrahams, the widow of 76-year-old wedding chauffeur Maurice Abrahams, who died in the crash, said the memorial was "lovely".

The other victims of the Airshow crash were: Tony Brightwell, 53; Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt and Daniele Polito, all 23; Matt Jones, 24; Graham Mallinson, 72; Mark Reeves, 53; Dylan Archer, 42; Richard Smith, 26, and Mark Trussler, 54, who all lived in Sussex.

The tribute was funded by donations and relatives were invited to pick the final design.

Artists David Parfitt and Jane Fordham said they hope it will be somewhere people can reflect on the tragedy.

The four-metre high stainless steel arches in memory to the 11 victims stand on a circular marble mosaic consisting of thousands of pieces.

Reminiscent of the outline of the hull of a boat, the arches appear to change colour as they reflect the water, the artists said.

Lights suspended on reeds are also due to be installed on the opposite side of the river bank to be seen through the arches to complete the design.

Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council, which organised the project, said: "The memorial is totally individual - just like each of the people it represents.

"I hope the families get some sort of peace from this."

Ms Fordham and Mr Parfitt said the project had "totally consumed" them over the last two years and was close to their hearts as they were visiting the town at the time of the crash.

Ms Fordham said: "I hope we have created a space for people to grieve in their own way.

Sculptor Mr Parfitt said: "It's been a very moving project."

Andrew Hill, the pilot whose plane crashed during the Shoreham Airshow, was cleared of manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey earlier this year.