IT was a tragedy that shook Bournemouth and triggered an outpouring of emotion.

When Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging, pictured inset, lost his life following a display at Bournemouth Air Festival last August, the town galvanised in its grief.

Now, the organisers of the event have been given a surprise award for their efforts in dealing with the challenges of that weekend.

The British Air Display Association has presented the team with its Unsung Heroes award.

The nomination came from air festival commentator and vice chairman of BADA, George Bacon.

George’s nomination highlighted the effort of the event organisers and council in ensuring the event was able to continue, not only following Flt Lt Egging’s death but also after the flash floods that washed out the first day.

The nomination added: “Hoping that would be it for the remainder of the four-day event, on Saturday afternoon a devastating tragedy struck with the fatal accident of Red Four.”

George said the response from the air festival team after the incident was “exemplary”.

He added: “Unprecedented in nature, the response of the entire Bournemouth Borough Council conveyed the dedication, professionalism, teamwork and sensitivity of so many of their staff under exceptionally challenging circumstances, deserving recognition and thanks by the UK air display community and thus thoroughly deserving of the award of the Jonathon Whaley ‘Unsung Heroes’ Award.”

Air Festival director, Jon Weaver, said: “We had no idea that George had even nominated the council, so to be presented with the award was a complete surprise.

“We’re very grateful to BADA for recognising the efforts that went into last year’s air festival and the work of all of the council departments that were involved.

“We’ve always maintained that the air festival is a collaborative effort and this award really reflects the true spirit of the event and is something that we can all be very proud of.”

The award was created by Jonathon Whaley, pilot and owner of Hunter jet Miss Demeanour – an air festival favourite – following an incident with his aircraft at Biggin Hill Air Show in 2009 and the efforts of the engineers to repair his aircraft.