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west sussex
Seven people confirmed dead after plane crashed onto motorway
A number of cars were struck by the plane and the resulting explosion.
Updated 4.55pm
SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE been confirmed dead after a plane crashed in West Sussex this afternoon.
At about 1.20pm, the aircraft hit several cars on the A27 just north of Shoreham Airport, near where the Shoreham Airshow air display show is taking place.
The aircraft ended up in a bush.
Police earlier released a statement saying that there have been several casualties but they did not give details of their condition. Seven deaths have since been confirmed:
There was also one serious injury and 14 walking wounded at the incident.
Eyewitness Stephen Jones said that the plane was performing a loop but did not complete it and crashed, BBC reports.
“And he flew straight into the ground either on or very close to the A27, which runs past the airport,” he said.
Another described the explosion after the aircraft hit the ground:
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Emergency services are at the scene and police are advising all drivers to avoid the A27 in the Shoreham area for rest of today.
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The A27 has been closed in both directions and drivers are asked to avoid the area until further notice.
- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy.
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