Remembering Sharon Ford, the hero air stewardess from Chesterfield who died in the Manchester Airport Disaster 35 years ago today

Sharon Ford, of Enfield Road, Newbold, was just 22-years-old when she perished in the tragedy on August 22, 1985.

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Sharon – who led many passengers to safety as a British Airtours 737 jet bound for Corfu burst into flames on the runway – was posthumously awarded a Queen’s Gallantry Medal for bravery.

A newspaper report on Sharon’s death stated: “Sharon had wanted to be an air hostess since leaving Notre Dame school in Sheffield.

“For nine months she worked as a typist and ticket sales woman for Chesterfield Football Club.

“Sharon was offered the job after entering the Miss Chesterfield Football Club competition.

“Club cashier Pat Hopkinson described Sharon as ‘a very pretty girl’.

“She had always wanted to be a stewardess and was delighted when she got the job,” the report added.

Speaking to the Derbyshire Times in 2015, Sharon's best friend Beverley Senatore said: “I loved Sharon with all my heart – she was the sister I never had – and I miss her every single day.

“I feel so privileged to have been best friends with this beautiful, funny, amazing, brave woman.

"I've never met anyone like Sharon – I never will.

"She was a once in a lifetime friend, a one in a million friend.”

Fifty-three passengers and two crew were killed in the Manchester Airport disaster.

Most of the victims died from inhaling toxic smoke and many were impeded by the layout of the seats and the narrow width of the exits.

Survivors and the relatives of those who died eventually successfully sued US aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney and the tragedy led to a host of changes in air safety procedures, including the implementation of fire resistant seat covers.

In 2015, following the 30th anniversary of the tragedy, families of the victims received an apology from the airport ‘for their loss’ and the ‘memories they have had to live with’.

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