‘Toll in Britain plane crash likely to touch 11’

London: The toll in the plane crash in Britain during an airshow is likely to rise to 11, police said. "Sadly, as a result of our initial work at the site, we have now identified 11 people who we are treating as highly likely to have died in this tragedy," Xinhua reported quoting Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry of Sussex police.

A Hawker Hunter jet crashed into a main road on August 22 (Saturday) while performing during the Shoreham Airshow. Sussex police said the aircraft failed to pull out of a dive. Previous reports from police on Saturday said seven people died and more than ten people were injured in the incident, and have been treated for their injuries. Barry said on Sunday the task of clearing the scene has started, while investigation is underway.

"This has been an enormously traumatic incident and our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the incident, from those who have suffered bereavement to those in the local community who are deeply shocked," he said. Some victims have been named by their families earlier on Sunday, according to local media, though there's no formal identifications from police. The pilot, who was pulled from the wreckage on the site remains in a critical condition. The road is still closed and will close for several days as investigation and maintaining works will continue, police said.

(IANS)