Red Arrows describe seeing "the whole thing"

The inquest into the death of Red Arrow Sean Cunningham heard how ground crew ran for safety after the pilot was thrown 300 feet into the air when his ejection seat went off while he prepared for take-off.

Cpl David Morris:

"The canopy filled with smoke and then Flt Lt Cunningham went with his seat through the canopy. As the canopy blew it took a couple of seconds to register what had happened.

"Then we ran to avoid parts of the canopy hitting us. I knew at some point the ejection seat was going to separate and it was going to fall to the ground.

"It looked like Flt Lt Cunningham was trying to stabilise himself. I could see his limbs moving. It looked as if he was trying to get his balance. The parachute didn't open. The seat came down and hit the floor, I could feel the thud. I saw the whole thing."

SAC Joseph Tiley, who had helped Flt Lt Cunningham prepare his aircraft for take-off said the ejection seat went off as he was carrying out last minute checks said:

"I was taking a step back to do the air brakes when I saw a flashy and black smoke. At that point I tucked myself up unto a ball, put my hands over my head and closed my eyes. I didn't see any of the ejection."

Sgt Chris Clarkson:

"I caught the flash from the ejection out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look and I saw Sean leaving the aircraft. I watched him go over my head. Then we started getting hit by canopy so I turned away.

"I saw Joe Tiley on the floor. Being so close to the aircraft I thought he was possibly dead. "