Tributes paid to victims as 40 years pass since Manchester Airport disaster
53 passengers and two crew members died after a plane set alite on the runway
It’s been 40 years since a horrific air disaster at Manchester Airport claimed the lives of dozens of holidaymakers and changed aviation safety forever.
On this day in 1985, 137 passengers and crew were on the Corfu-bound British Airtours plane.
It was travelling at 140mph on the runway, when the port engine exploded, and debris punctured the wing and a fuel tank.
The plane set alite, and filled with toxic smoke, killing 55 people, including children.
Peter Clare's best friend, 25-year-old Dave Bennison, died that day. Peter remembers hearing about what had happened: "On the radio there was mention that there'd been an air disaster and I was thinking 'I don't know if Dave's on it or not' so I then rang his brother, and his brother went 'that is definitely the plane'.
"I took Dave's Dad to the airport and we were just told Dave was missing, and presumed dead.
"It was just an awful, scary, frightening day.
"It was just a total loss, and a complete shock because Dave thinks he's going on holiday, and eight minutes later he's dead."
Peter supports survivors and victims families, he has also campaigned for aviation safety changes since the disaster.
He said a lot of people today still suffer from what they witnessed 40 years ago: "I had PTSD and then afterwards about a year later started having treatment for that, and it got much better, but even as short a time ago as 12 years ago there was aspects of it that was still a problem.
"For a lot of people on the day there's huge amount of guilt.
"Dave's dad was guilty he'd even taken him to the airport, and other people thought it was their fault because they'd driven people to the airport to meet that fate but obviously it was never their fault.
"People then live with that for the rest of their life and are haunted by it.
"I know some fire men that were there that were never well again, and people that worked at the airport that were never well again."
The tragedy led to significant changes in aviation safety, including the implementation of fire resistant seat covers and more regulations on who can sit near emergency exits.
A special service is being held at Manchester Airport today, where a memorial stands.
It's a 5m tall wooden tribute which bears the name of each person who died.