RAF Red Arrows Pilot Killed In Crash Near Bournemouth

PRESS ASSOCIATION -- A Red Arrows pilot died when his plane crashed following an air show, a Ministry of Defence spokesman has said.

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging's Hawk T1 aircraft plunged to the ground near Bournemouth Airport in Dorset at 1.50pm.

Eyewitnesses saw the plane flying low before smashing into a field and coming to a standstill with its nose in the River Stour near the village of Throop.

Dorset Police said the pilot had been thrown from the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.

An MoD spokesman said: "A full service inquiry into the details of the crash has been initiated. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident at this time."

Nicholas Gore, 22, from Throop, was walking with a friend close to the river when he saw all nine Red Arrows overhead following the display over the seafront at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

"There were quite a few people watching and we saw them go over but one seemed quite low," he said. "They then disappeared behind trees and I heard a crack - not an explosion - just a crack and we got further down and I saw the plane with its red tail in the air and its nose in the river."

Group Captain Simon Blake, the Commandant of the RAF's Central Flying School, described the 33-year-old pilot from Rutland as "a true team player".

He said: "Flt Lt Jon Egging, known as Eggman, joined the team as Red 4 in the autumn of 2010.

"A gifted aviator, he was chosen to fly in the Red 4 slot, on the right hand outside of the famous diamond nine formation - an accolade in itself being the most demanding position allocated to a first year pilot. Throughout his winter training and the display season to date, his professionalism, skill and humility have shone through."