Kirsten Heaven of Garden Court Chambers represented the bereaved families instructed by Sarah Stewart of Stewarts.
The inquest heard that there were a number of actions the pilot could have, and should have, taken which would have avoided this disaster.
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 Penelope Schofield concluded that eleven innocent men were unlawfully killed as a result.
The pilot was previously cleared of manslaughter by gross negligence in a criminal court.
Sarah Stewart, Partner at Stewarts, said:
“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.”
The content above is based on a press release from Stewarts Solicitors.
BBC News coverage of the coroner's conclusion can be found here.
