THE widow of the Red Arrows pilot who died following a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival has paid a touching tribute to her “amazing friend and husband.”

Flt Lt Jon Egging, 33, from Rutland, suffered fatal injuries when his Hawk T1 aircraft crashed into a field at Throop, near Bournemouth airport, on Saturday. Dr Emma Egging said she had been overwhelmed by the touching tributes paid in the wake of his “devastating” loss.

She added: “The tributes that have poured in over the last two days both online and here in Bournemouth have been just outstanding.

“It’s very heartfelt when I say thank you to everybody, both personally on my behalf and on Jon’s behalf, and I know the Red Arrows are completely bowled over by the support.”

She said Saturday had been the first time she had seen her husband perform a full display adding: “I was on the beach so I was really proud.

“Everything that happened was obviously completely devastating.”

There has been speculation that Flt Lt Egging, known as Eggman, was trying to avoid houses when he crashed.

Among those who paid tribute were Brian May from rock group Queen who had recently spent a day with the Red Arrows team.

He described Ft Lt Egging as “a hero in anybody’s book,” adding: “These men and women are the hardest of nails. But their humanity and wickedly humorous team spirit was a joy to be around.

“It’s plain that Jon sacrificed his life to save civilians below, as he piloted his own stricken Hawk jet away from housing, finally ejecting only when it was too late to save his own life.”

Flt Lt Egging grew up in Southam, Warwickshire and joined the team in the autumn of 2010, flying on the right hand side of the famous Diamond Nine formation.

The Red Arrows are based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and the rest of the Hawk T1 fleet, based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, stands at more than 170 aircraft.