Worthing United footballers Jacob Schilt, 23, (pictured top right in blue shirt) and Matt Grimstone (pictured top centre in purple shirt) have been named as among at least 11 victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster on the A27 in West Sussex along with gym instructor Matt Jones (top left). The personal trainer's 'devastated' family revealed that he was on his way home from work when the Hunter Hawker fighter jet, piloted by Andy Hill, smashed into his BMW in a ball of flames (above). The driver of a vintage wedding limousine and two cyclists are also feared dead. Miraculously, the pilot, who flies for British Airways, was pulled from the flaming wreckage of his jet and flown by air ambulance to hospital. He is currently in a critical condition.
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| Blast: Three victims have been named and police have warned that the death toll from the Shoreham Airshow disaster is expected to rise |
His mother Hazel described Mr Jones as an 'absolute diamond' as it emerged that the pilot is fighting for his life in a critical condition.
Mr Grimstone's parents, Sue and Phil, and his two brothers, David and Paul, from Brighton, paid an emotional tribute to the footballer.
They said he was the 'kindest person you could ever meet with a great wit', adding: 'The family are in total shock at losing our dearest son Matthew.
'He has been taken from us at just 23 and we still think he is going to walk through the front door any minute now.'
The family added: 'In his 23 years we can honestly say he never lost his temper.'
Mark Sanderson, Worthing United's secretary, broke down as he described ‘Grimbles’ as ‘a huge talent, quiet and reserved but a brilliant player'.
He added: ‘Jacob was also 23 years of age, small in stature and a tenacious midfielder, also very skilful with an eye for goal.’
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| Chilling: The Hawker Hunter narrowly avoided a long line of traffic including a bus before it crashed on the A27 during an attempted loop
Mr Sanderson said the two men played a key part in club's most successful campaign ever last season when it won the league and cup double.
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He added: ‘At this point we don't know how or if we will cope with this. Worthing United is a family, part of the football family.
‘We have been moved by the number of tributes to them that we have received from our fellow clubs and from the public.’
Mr Grimstone had also worked at Brighton and Hove Albion football club for seven years.
He became an apprentice groundsman in 2013 and was given a full-time role after successfully completing his apprenticeship.
Most recently he worked for the grounds team at its Lancing training ground
He and Mr Schilt both played for an Albion supporters' team in a Robert Eaton Memorial Fund match against Crystal Palace at Lewes in April.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: ‘We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this news.
‘Matt has been part of a great team we have at the club and our thoughts go out to his and Jacob's families at this devastating time.’
At this point we don't know how or if we will cope with this. Worthing United is a family, part of the football family. We have been moved by the number of tributes to them that we have received from our fellow clubs and from the public
Mark Sanderson, Worthing United's secretary
The club's chief executive Paul Barber added: ‘Matt's been a very popular member of our groundstaff team and has proved to be an absolute credit to the club and his boss Steve Winterburn.
‘I also got to know Jacob as one of the REMF squad, during the coaching sessions we held leading up to this year's charity match against Crystal Palace.
‘As well as being a very good footballer, Jacob was a popular and impressive young man. It is hard to the find the right words to express the full extent of our shock and sadness at this time.
‘But Matt and Jacob's family and friends are very much in our thoughts - along with all those who've been affected by this terrible tragedy.’
Police said it was 'highly likely' 11 people had died and warned other bodies could be found. A crane will arrive to lift the plane wreckage tomorrow.
The crash site, which stretches for 400 yards on to Shoreham Airfield, has been labelled as 'hazardous' because of the amount of fuel still on the plane.
But officers said that there would be 'no risk' to the public if they stayed behind the cordon.
Sussex Police also announced that the road is likely to be closed for several days while the recovery process continues.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry said the status of the jet's ejector seats was yet to be determined.
But he confirmed the pilot was pulled from the burning wreckage and remains in a critical condition.
At least 13 other 'walking wounded' victims have been released from hospital.
Seconds before impact: The pilot tried to pitch his aircraft up in an effort to gain altitude as the jet was just a few feet above the main A27
Victim: One of the dead has been named as gym instructor Matt Jones (both) who is believed to have died in his BMW 3 Series Coupe
Footballers: Goalkeeper Matthew Grimstone (left) and midfielder Jacob Schilt (right), who died in the crash, were labelled 'absolute gents'
Chilling: The Hawker Hunter narrowly avoided a long line of traffic including a bus before it crashed on the A27 during an attempted loop
His mother Hazel described Mr Jones as an 'absolute diamond' as it emerged that the pilot is fighting for his life in a critical condition.
Mr Grimstone's parents, Sue and Phil, and his two brothers, David and Paul, from Brighton, paid an emotional tribute to the footballer.
They said he was the 'kindest person you could ever meet with a great wit', adding: 'The family are in total shock at losing our dearest son Matthew.
'He has been taken from us at just 23 and we still think he is going to walk through the front door any minute now.'
The family added: 'In his 23 years we can honestly say he never lost his temper.'
Mark Sanderson, Worthing United's secretary, broke down as he described ‘Grimbles’ as ‘a huge talent, quiet and reserved but a brilliant player'.
He added: ‘Jacob was also 23 years of age, small in stature and a tenacious midfielder, also very skilful with an eye for goal.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3207016/Pilot-pulled-burning-wreckage-plane-crashes-Shoreham-Airshow.html#ixzz3jVWYIYWR
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