A CORNER has refused to rule out deciding whether people killed in the Shoreham Airshow disaster were the victims of unlawful killing.

Some 11 people died and 15 others were injured after a former military aircraft crashed onto the A27 in Shoreham as part of an aerial display in 2015. It was the deadliest air show accident in Britain for more than 60 years.

The pilot of the aircraft Andy Hill had asked the coroner in a long-awaited inquest to rule out a conclusion of unlawful killing before hearing evidence.

Mr Hill was cleared by a jury of manslaughter, with an inquest into the deaths of 11 men killed in the crash due to start in November.

However, coroner Penelope Schofield told a pre-inquest review in Horsham that she would not close her mind to any possible conclusions before any evidence is heard.

She said: “It would be extremely unusual for a coroner to close their mind to any aspect.

“I’m asked to take this unusual step so he might not have the long-standing anxiety.

“I do not consider this is sufficient.

“I am not prepared to make sure a ruling before or at any later time before the inquest concludes.”

Lawyers for the families affected by the crash said they were surprised to hear Mr Hill had written to the coroner asking her to rule out unlawful killing before the inquest starts.

Bridget Dolan QC, counsel to the inquest, said eyewitnesses who experienced severe trauma during the disaster will have to be treated very carefully.

“A lot of trauma has been experienced by witnesses.

“One person talks about having to remove his clothes because he had blood on his clothes that weren’t his and having to drive home in their underwear.

“Others talk about survivor guilt.”

The coroner is expected to deliver her conclusions just before Christmas this year.