Friends out for bike ride among those killed in Shoreham air crash

Two friends who were on a bike ride last Saturday have been named among the victims of last weekend’s Shoreham air show disaster.

Richard Smith from Hove and Dylan Archer from Brighton were on their way to meet a friend to ride the South Downs Way.

Instead, they were among the 11 people killed when a Hawker Hunter jet taking part in an air display crashed onto the A27 at 1.20pm on Saturday.

Mr Smith, aged 26, was originally from Buckinghamshire and went to university in Birmingham. After graduating, he worked in a bike shop in Cosham, Hampshire, where his family had moved.

He then worked in marketing and web development at ActSmart, which provides services to retailers in the cycling and other industries.

He leaves behind his parents, two brothers and partner, Victoria. A statement released via Sussex Police said his “passions in life were for his family, friends and his beloved bikes. His boundless enthusiasm was infectious.”

The statement added: "All our family appreciate the beautiful tributes to Richard and offers of help and support we have received from friends. Our gratitude and thanks go to Sussex Police for the sensitive and thorough way they have helped us."

Father of two Mr Archer was aged 42 and originally from the Midlands. Described as passionate about cars and bikes, he had lived in Brighton since 1991, and was co-founder and director of an IT consultancy.

He leaves two sons and his partner of 17 years, Alice. His family said in a statement that they “are very touched by all the tributes, and thank everyone for their kindness and generosity.”

Last week, it was revealed that another of the victims had ridden his bike to Shoreham to watch one of the last flypasts by the only Vulcan bomber still in flight.

53-year-old Tony Brightwell’s fiancée Lara said: "He was a kind, loving man who always helped others and just enjoyed spending time with family and friends over a bottle of red wine.

"I watched him cycle off into the sun on his treasured Ridgeback bike to watch the air show at Shoreham for a couple of hours, but he never came home."