Shoreham aircrash: Police officers investigated over message
Eleven people died in the crash on the A27 in Shoreham last month
Two Sussex Police officers are being investigated for gross misconduct over a private online message sent in the wake of the Shoreham airshow crash.
The investigation by the force's professional standards department relates to two Brighton-based officers, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.
Supt Lisa Bell said: "The investigation is in relation to a private message sent to a colleague."
The colleague "swiftly reported" the message, she said.
Ms Bell said: "We will thoroughly investigate this claim where the behaviour or actions of officers and staff is alleged to have fallen below the standards expected of them."
The families of the 11 people who died when a Hawker Hunter aeroplane crashed into the A27 during the Shoreham Airshow are being informed, Sussex Police said.
"This allegation is particularly upsetting, and could detract from the professionalism of a huge number of colleagues who have worked so tirelessly on this operation," Ms Bell said.
The victims:
(Top row, left to right) Matt Jones, Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt, Maurice Abrahams, Richard Smith. (Bottom row, left to right) Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell, Mark Trussler, Daniele Polito, Dylan Archer, Graham Mallinson
- Matt Jones, a 24-year-old personal trainer
- Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer who worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion
- Jacob Schilt, also 23 and also a Worthing United player, was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone
- Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day
- Friends Richard Smith, 26, and Dylan Archer, 42, who were going for a bike ride on the South Downs
- Mark Reeves, 53, had ridden his motorcycle to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photos of the planes
- Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove was an aircraft enthusiast and had learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield
- Mark Trussler, 54, is thought to have been riding his motorcycle on the A27
- Daniele Polito was travelling in the same car as Mr Jones
- Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, was a keen photographer and retired engineer
