An RAF Red Arrows pilot died when his plane crashed following a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival in Dorset.

Flt Lt Jon Egging, 33, from Rutland, was killed when his Hawk T1 aircraft - Red 4 - crashed about 1km south east of Bournemouth Airport at 13:50 BST.

Eyewitnesses described seeing the plane plunge to the ground in a field near the River Stour at Throop village.

It was one of nine Red Arrows aircraft that had earlier taken part in a display over the seafront.

Group Capt Simon Blake, the Commandant of the RAF's Central Flying School, said Flt Lt Egging, known as 'Eggman', had joined the Team as Red 4 in the Autumn of 2010 and flew on the right hand outside of the famous Diamond Nine formation.

He said this was "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," he added.

All very sad, and my thoughts are with Flt Lt Egging's family and colleagues.

The footage suggested he should have been able to eject quite easily.

The footage suggested he should have been able to eject quite easily.

I wonder, does anyone know if the Hawk has a Black Box, like larger aircraft?

IMO he could of decided to eject very easily and survive but let his aircraft nose dive into the ground smashing into the houses and probably wiping out a few families then serving a life sentence of guilt or choose to steer away from houses and familys etc but only lose his own life,

brave move