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Spectators have shared their shock and horror as they watched a decorated South African Air Force pilot crash to his death at a local air show, while they recalled his final moments.

Air show commentator Brian Emmenis, who was present at the show and provided running commentary on Mr O'Connell's performance, can then be heard urging the stunned crowd to "stay calm and remain where you are".

Mr Emmenis later explained in a statement released by West Coast Air Show organisers that Mr O'Connell had gone into a "dirty configuration" – described as a move where the undercarriage is extended - where he turned the aircraft over and "the undercarriage was down".

Clive Coetzee, organiser of the West Coast Air Show, said that he was "deeply saddened by the event" and spoke of the shocking effect it had, not only on attendees, but other participants.

Experts believe the reality is more nuanced, with the US-Russia "dogfight" largely a media hype – fuelled more recently by the appearance of both jets at Asia's biggest air show, Aero India, in the southern city of Bangalore last month.