Tributes paid to ‘exemplary’ Red Arrows pilot

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging was killed yesterday after his Red Arrows Hawk T1 plane crashed into the ground near Bournemouth airport after performing at the Bournemouth Air Festival nearby.

Members of the public rushed to the scene to help, but Flt Lt Egging’s body was found on a riverbank, but apparently not in his ejector seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Chief Inspector Steve White, of Dorset Police, said: “On approach to the airport one aircraft crashed into a field near Throop Mill, Bournemouth.

“The aircraft came to rest on the banks of the River Stour, and the emergency services including police, fire, ambulance, coastguard search and rescue and a Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance attended.

“Sadly the pilot, who had been thrown from the aircraft, was pronounced dead at the scene.”

It is still not clear why the plane crashed and whether Flt Lt Egging had tried to eject or not. It is believed Flt Lt Egging was able to steer his plane away from built up areas before it crashed into a field south of the airport.

His wife, Dr Emma Egging, said she was “the proudest I’ve ever been” after watching his display in the skies above the seaside resort.

Dr Egging said yesterday: “Jon was everything to those that knew him, and he was the best friend and husband I could ever have wished for.

“I know that he would have wanted me to say something from the heart at this time.

“There was nothing bad about Jon. He loved his job and was an exemplary pilot.

“Watching him today, I was the proudest I’ve ever been. I loved everything about him, and he will be missed,” she said.

One of the men who rushed to help after the crash has described the frantic search for the pilot.

John Dugdale saw a rescue helicopter starting hovering above and ran to the scene.

“Somebody ran past me saying ‘one of the reds has gone down’. I just thought this is not happening,” Mr Dugdale said.

“I ran over and there was a small group of people and you could see part of the wreckage of the aircraft on the riverbank.

“At least one of the group had entered the water and was looking in the river for the pilot.

“One then shouted out he could see a parachute and then he shouted out he had got him (the pilot) and someone said, ‘is he dead?’ and the man in the water replied ‘yes’.

“There was a lot of bushes on the bank and he was found just away from me in a bend of the river. I did not see him.”

Mr Dugdale said he thought the ejection seat was found away from the body.

‘One then shouted out he could see a parachute and then he shouted out he had got him’ – John Dugdale

He went on: “Soon there were emergency services everywhere and the helicopter landed and we began to be cleared away.

“I went straight back home because it was extremely upsetting.

“I had gone down to watch the display because I am a member of the Red Arrows Association and a fan. It was such a shame that his wife was at the display.”

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.”

In a statement, Group Captain Simon Blake, the Commandant of the RAF’s Central Flying School, 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.

“A true team player, his good nature and constant smile will be sorely missed by all. In such a close knit team, this tragedy will be keenly felt by his fellow team members, the Reds, and all of the engineering and support staff, the Blues.”

The Red Arrows team have been temporarily grounded for safety reasons and they will not be performing at the Bournemouth Air Festival. However the pilots have expressed their wishes for other RAF displays to continue at the festival.

Flt Lt Egging, from Rutland, was inspired to fly by his father who was an airline pilot and who used to let him into the cockpit for takeoff and landing.

He joined the RAF in 2000 and served with IV(AC) Squadron based at RAF Cottesmore, flying the Harrier GR9 in support of coalition forces in Afghanistan.

‘There was nothing bad about Jon. He loved his job and was an exemplary pilot’ – Dr Emma Egging

Bournemouth Council has opened two books of condolences for members of the public to pay tributes to Flt Lt Egging.

Councillor Peter Charon, leader of Bournemouth Council, said the books would allow people to “express their sympathy and record memories”.

The Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Chris Rochester, told of his “immense sympathy” for the pilot’s family.

He said in a statement: “In particular I send my heartfelt condolences to his wife Emma, following this dreadful accident.

“Every account I have heard of Flt Lt Egging, describes him as a man of extreme bravery, integrity and honour, held in the highest regard by all those who knew him.

“The RAF has clearly lost an exceptional pilot and his family a man who was loved and cherished. My sincere condolences are extended to his family, friends and colleagues.”

The condolence books will be available for signing at Bournemouth Town Hall from 10am to 8pm today, and every day this week from 8.30am until 5.15pm.

They will then be given to Flt Lt Egging’s family, and collected donations will be given to the family’s chosen charity.