What is the future for air shows?

It appears to me that it would be more seemly to bide a while until all the poor souls are found and cared for, and thought given to those trying to find them in such dangerous circumstances than to start bickering about the future. That will take care of itself.

Why is nothing ever just an accident anymore? Whenever anything like this happens these days there are always calls for something to be banned or some other policy change, but this summer's two incidents are the first crashes for 63 years, and only one of those hurt anyone other than the pilot. The risk is so small as to be negligible.

Anyone who is seriously worried can make a huge difference to their life expectancy by getting some regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, losing some weight, smoking less, drinking less, leaving the car at home and going by bike or train etc. etc......

It is such a shame that something which gives so many people pleasure should end with such a tragedy. This particular air show has been taking place for some time, and there will now no doubt be lots of questions asked about the continuing of such events. At the moment, we should concentrate on those who have lost loved ones in such an horrific accident and the others who are now clearing up the debris, and still looking for the remains of bodies. What a distressing time for everyone, and our thoughts should surely be with them all.

Agree totally Pittcity - just a gut reaction from me about banning them!

We are off to Clacton Air Show later this week where the display is over the sea and patrols stop anyone from going into the water during flying. They issued a press release saying that the show must go on. It is a huge boost for local business and would be sorely missed.
If everything was stopped when accidents happened life would have ground to a halt by now.

My OH said they should only be allowed on the coast so planes could do their tricks over the sea! There's a logic to this as, after all, if you really want to see such a display then the coast is not too far from anyone in this country - - personally I think they should be banned.

Yes. It was ridiculous to have such an old aircraft performing stunts so near a road. 'They' will come up with all sorts of reasons for why it should have been safe but, unfortunately, the evidence speaks for itself.

DH has just come back and said it is weird out very quiet with few cars and of course no little planes

It does seem strange that such events take place next to a main road. Spectators who have chosen to attend the show must take their chance, but innocent drivers should not be put at risk.

Knowing the H&S rules for such outdoor events as my family are involved in arranging such things, I am very surprised that this is sanctioned.

WW such is the nature of chance. Thankfully you weren't there nor your mum.

The large Church in the background is Lancing College

The airport is about 2 miles from us and the river in the background is where we walk our dog most days unless we are on the Downs. This is about the 3rd crash in about as many years.
I use this road to Mum's house and we would have used it yesterday except that we had to go shopping first.

My heart goes out to all those poor souls who have lost their life and those who are suffering terrible injuries.

Certainly some things will have to be looked at. It might just be a dreadful set of coincidences but doing loop the loops with elderly aircraft is always going to be potentially dangerous. Safety checks will need to be even more stringent and flight paths better planned.
I think, in all honesty, there has always been a frisson of danger about such events but we really do not want these tragedies to actually happen.

I think the days of air shows are numbered. There have been far too many tragedies in recent years. My heart goes out to all affected by yesterday's events.

I'm not a fan of air shows. I was dragged around far to many as a child but I've always thought that they should take place well away from major roads.

I agree about those poor people being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Those poor people (families?) who were just driving in their cars, or waiting at that junction

I don't know about the future of air shows but I can't stop thinking about the innocent people who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.