A coroner's inquest is a process for investigating the factual circumstances of a death. It is a fact-finding process to establish the answers to who the deceased was and how, when and where they came to their death.
The proceedings and evidence are aimed solely at ascertaining the answers to these questions. Expressions of opinion on any other matter - for example, determining criminal or civil liability - are not allowed. However, the coroner does have the power to investigate not just the main cause of death, but also ‘any acts or omissions which directly led to the cause of death’.
Inquests are being held into the deaths of:
- Anthony David Brightwell, 53, of Hove
- Daniele Gaetano Polito, 23, of Goring-by-Sea
- Dylan Archer, 42, of Brighton
- Jacob Henry Schilt, 23, of Brighton
- James Graham Mallinson, 72, of Newick
- Mark Alexander Reeves, 53, of Seaford
- Mark James Trussler, 54, of Worthing
- Matthew Grimstone, 23, of Brighton
- Matthew Wesley Jones, 24, of Littlehampton
- Maurice Rex Abrahams, 76, of Brighton
- Richard Jonathan Smith, 26, of Hove
Interested persons
Under Section 47 of The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 there is an automatic right to 'interested person' status for a number of people, including the family of the deceased.
Other formally recognised interested persons for these inquests are:
- Andrew Hill, pilot of the Hawker Hunter
- owners of the Hawker Hunter
- insurers to the operators of the Hawker Hunter
- RAFA Shoreham Airshow Ltd.
- Rodney Dean, Flying Display Director
- AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch)
- Sussex Police
- CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)