The full inquest into the 2015 tragedy that claimed the lives of 11 men was due to begin from September 14 this year, across a window of six weeks. But fears over the safety of holding such a large, open hearing amid the coronavirus crisis has forced West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield to push the date back by up to 12 months. “I have expressed my extreme regret to all the families that there is to be a further delay to proceedings but I will not be able to hear these inquests, as planned, later this year," she said. “With 11 bereaved families and several other interested parties, lawyers, press and public it seems likely that well over 150 people would wish to attend court and I anticipate the threat of Covid-19, the potential for its transmission and the consequent disruption of in-person proceedings will not have receded by the Autumn. “My present view is that these inquests are not ones that are appropriate to be held remotely given the importance to the families of being fully involved in the hearings, the benefits of hearing the first-hand evidence in person and the overall public interest.” A future date, likely to be in June or September 2021, will be confirmed as soon as possible, according to West Sussex County Council. The pre-inquest review hearing is still due to take place on June 24, 2020, which Ms Schofield has confirmed this will be conducted via a remote hearing.