Monday, 24 August 2015

Shoreham air crash: Tributes to victims

A woman lays flowers on the Shoreham Tollbridge near the site where a Hawker Hunter fighter jet plummeted on to the A27 
A woman lays flowers on the Shoreham Tollbridge near the crash site.
The death toll from the Shoreham air crash is thought to have risen to 11 and specialist recovery teams have begun recovering bodies from the site.
As details begin to emerge about the identity of victims, their families have been paying tribute.
Matt Jones
Matt Jones, one of the victims in the Shoreham plane crash
The death of Matt Jones has left his family 'devastated'
Matt Jones, 24, a personal trainer, was named on Facebook by his sister Becky Jones as one of the dead.
She wrote: "Thank you to everyone who has messaged me. We are devastated to say Matt Jones was one of the fatalities."
Matthew Grimstone
Footballer Matthew Grimstone was on his way to a Worthing United game
 
Footballer Matthew Grimstone was on his way to a Worthing United game
Parents Sue and Phil and brothers David and Paul paid an emotional tribute to the footballer, who played for Worthing United.
They said: "The family are in total shock at losing our dearest son Matthew so tragically at 23 years old.
"He was the kindest person you could ever meet, with a great wit.
"In his 23 years, we can honestly say he never lost his temper."
The family went on to say that football was his passion in life and he loved working at Brighton & Hove Albion as well as playing for Worthing United. He had also been a referee.
"Matt has been taken from us at just 23 and we still think he is going to walk through the front door any minute now."
He has been described as a keen amateur footballer and talented goalkeeper in a statement released by Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
Mr Grimstone was a member of the club's ground staff at the club's training facility in Lancing
Mr Grimstone was a ground staff member at the club's training facility in Lancing
The club say he was on his way to play for Worthing United against Loxwood in the Southern Combination Premier Division at Lyons Way at the time of the air crash, along with his Mavericks teammate Jacob Schilt.
A former Varndean student, Matt, 23, worked at the club for the past seven years - starting with the Albion as part of the matchday event team at Withdean.
Chief executive Paul Barber said: "Matt's been a very popular member of our ground staff team and has proved to be an absolute credit to the club and his boss Steve Winterburn.
"It is hard to find the right words to express the full extent of our shock and sadness at this time, but Matt and Jacob's family and friends are very much in our thoughts - along with all those who've been affected by this terrible tragedy."
Worthing United FC released a statement, saying: "Grimbles was our first team goalkeeper, 23 years of age and a huge talent, quiet and reserved but a brilliant player with a huge potential to go further in the game."
Jacob Schilt
Jacob Schilt
Jacob Schilt is seen here playing for a Brighton and Hove Albion supporters' team at Lewes in April 2015
Seagulls supporter Mr Schilt is believed to have been travelling with his Mavericks teammate Matthew Grimstone when their vehicle was hit by the aircraft.
Alongside Mr Grimstone, Mr Schilt was part of Worthing United's Sussex County League Division Two championship-winning side last season, and also played for an Albion supporters' team in this year's Robert Eaton Memorial Fund match against Crystal Palace at Lewes in April.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club paid tribute to him, with chairman Tony Bloom saying: "The thoughts and prayers of everybody at the club are with Matt and Jacob's family and friends at this shocking time. Our thoughts are also with all the people who have lost loved ones in this horrendous accident."
Chief executive Paul Barber added: "I got to know Jacob as one of the REMF squad, during the coaching sessions we held leading up to this year's charity match against Crystal Palace. As well as being a very good footballer, Jacob is a popular and impressive young man."
Worthing United FC released a statement, saying: "Jacob, who was 23 years of age, small in stature and a tenacious midfielder, was very skilful with an eye for goal."
The club also said: "They were both essential members of last season's double-winning squad, the most successful season in the club's history.
"At this point we don't know how or if we will cope with this. Worthing Utd is a family, part of the football family, we have been moved by the number of tributes to them that we have received form our fellow clubs and from the public."
The Football Association tweeted on Sunday, saying: "We are saddened to hear two members of the football family, Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, were killed in the Shoreham air disaster when on their way to play for @WorthingUtdFC.
"Our thoughts are with their family, friends, team-mates and all others affected."
Flowers laid on the Shoreham toll bridge near the plane crash site
Police have received some 40 calls from people worried that relatives may have been caught up in the crash
Flowers laid on the Shoreham toll bridge near the plane crash site
Sussex Police say it is possible that other victims may be found 
 
 
BBC NEWS 

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