Southend Airport partially reopens after plane crash killed four people
Flights to and from the airport in Essex had been suspended since Sunday afternoon when a medical transport aircraft crashed moments after taking off.
A statement from the airport on Wednesday read: "London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure.
"Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening (Wednesday 16 July). Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight.
"Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July."
Please refresh the page for the latest version.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Smugglers' adventures: All the fun of the fair (and fresh air) at the seaside in Hastings
Is it possible to cope as a single parent in charge of three children for an entire weekend? And, what's more – to actually have fun while doing it? This was the challenge I set myself when I decided to take my eight-year-old son, my 13-year-old daughter and her best friend, who's also 13, away to the seaside. We decided to escape London's sticky heatwave for somewhere with a sea breeze and plenty of cold water to cool off in. Hastings, which I'd never been to before, seemed the perfect choice. Not only is there an ancient castle for the history buffs (that's me), there's penny arcades, a funfair, an aquarium and the crowning glory: a smugglers' adventure – that's dark caves carved out of rock with actual ghosts (apparently). Talk about spooky! Setting sail We were due to 'set sail' (metaphorically) from Charing Cross station at 10.15am – on 'a proper train' as my son described it, staring back at the cramped London Underground we'd just left behind. He was right to be pleased: once we were moving, Hastings-bound – with 15 packets of crisps, seven orange juices, what felt like 500 bags of sweets and my Family & Friends Railcard all displayed proudly on the train table like an artwork – the journey to the coast became part of the adventure. Where else can you spot world-famous landmarks from the comfort of your train seat? We saw the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Thames and Southwark Cathedral before anyone had even munched their way through a single snack. RDG HASTINGS ONE Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 4 The girls settled into watching a movie on their iPads, my son was playing a game and I actually read a book – the last time I'd read a book was probably before I had the children. In fact, this journey was so revelatory that I don't think I will ever drive again. It's all about taking trains, now. I was so relaxed, it felt like being on a spa day. Where else can you spot world-famous landmarks from the comfort of your seat? We saw the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the Thames and Southwark Cathedral before anyone had munched a single snack. Just an hour-and-a-half later, we arrived in Hastings and navigated our way to our guesthouse: Ruby's Rooms – an arty space just 10 minutes from the town centre. We had the entire ground floor sea-view apartment, with a continental breakfast included, free Wi-Fi and just a 30-second walk to the beach. What a win. Sea life We'd been in the apartment for five minutes, when the kids started whining about having to get into the sea IMMEDIATELY. Beach towels borrowed from Kate at Ruby's Rooms, we headed for the shore, where the children did something utterly unthinkable: they got straight in the sea. It takes me at least an hour to work up the nerve but they were straight in and under. Unbelievable. Once they were out and I could stop anxiously hovering in the shallows worrying about them, I laid my towel on the pebbles and closed my eyes, feeling like I was in Marbella. Hot sun, salt in the air, the girls making silly TikTok videos and my son burying himself in rocks. Everything was dreamy. Even better, was getting an ice cream from one of the many artisanal ice cream shops along the parade. Black treacle flavour with a black charcoal waffle cone? My goth heart was sated! The kids scoffed a weird combo of pistachio, peppermint and bubblegum ice-cream as we tackled an incredibly steep hill on the way to the 'Smugglers' Adventure. They were enjoying themselves so much – I didn't hear a single moan from them. RDG HASTINGS TWO Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Once we we got to Smugglers' Adventure however, there was plenty of moaning. It was all ghostly though – so much that my son wrapped himself around my leg like a baby koala as soon as the eerie voice of Hairy Jack – a smuggler from the past, doubling as our tour guide ghost – boomed through the dark caverns. We had a lot of fun attempting to hoist an anchor and shouting 'boo!' at the waxworks. I laid my towel on the pebbles and closed my eyes, feeling like I was in Marbella. Hot sun, salt in the air, the girls making silly TikTok videos and my son burying himself in rocks. Everything was dreamy. Ahoy! It was time for pizza! I'd read about the 'best pizza in Hastings' online – and despite fierce competition, opted for Monellis sourdough gourmet pizza on George Street – and boy, was it worth it – if a little spicy! After another ice-cream for the walk home to cool our mouths down, we fell into the penny arcades, where we spent far too much money trying to win a dinosaur toy on the 2p slot machines. Historical Hastings The next morning, it was off to a castle to learn about history – I ignored the laments of, 'Do we have to?' And won them round by telling them about the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which I still remember even though I'm ancient. 10/10 for Mum. They got even more enthusiastic when I reminded them that according to the Bayeux Tapestry, King Harold was killed at the Battle of Hastings by being shot in the eye with an arrow. Grisly. If there's one thing I'm learning about my children, this weekend, is that they are weird, wonderful – and grisly. So, off we headed up the very steep hill, into the castle entrance, and straight into the dungeons. RDG HASTINGS THREE Carousel with one slide shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate between slides. Image 1 of 4 They were a welcome break from the heat (that steep hill in 28-degree heat, carrying everyone's bags wasn't pleasant). I considered asking the man behind the counter if he would lock the kids up in the dungeons for a couple of hours, but sadly he looked too busy. Shame. Instead, we did what everyone should do when looking at the ruins of an ancient castle – cartwheels – as well as a comedy 'jump shot' through an archway; and marvelled at the genuinely stunning panoramic views. We could see right out across the bay; we could see people sailing, swimming – we could even see France, right there on the horizon, through the haze. C'est magnifique. It would be all too easy to lose track of time, but thankfully, I had a FitBit which told me we'd already done 26,000 steps (that would be the steep hill) – and our feet were aching, so we decided to grab the super-cute funicular railway lift back down the cliff to the old town. It was built in 1902, I told them. 'Was that when you were born?' my son said. Thank you, thank you… We did what everyone should do when looking at the ruins of an ancient castle – cartwheels – as well as a comedy 'jump shot' through an archway; and marvelled at the stunning panoramic views. We were really going for it now, trying to fit everything in during our final precious hours, so we made a pit-stop at the aquarium to see some cool sharks, wandered along the seafront where we discovered a truly gigantic anchor, had an incredible fish and chips meal at Maggie's and still had time for another ice-cream and a spot of shopping, before it was time to get the train home. We slumped tired but happy into our seats, knowing we could relax after all the action. What did I learn? Children are the best travel companions – funny, frank, eye-wateringly honest when something is going well… and when it isn't. They don't fake anything – when they're having fun, you know about it – and those are the sweetest moments of all. And as a bonus, Hairy Jack and the dungeons have given me great reasons to make them do their homework… Enjoy great value British adventures by train From stunning nature and the great outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there's no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there's never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation. With Railcard, whether you're travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With 9 different Railcards available, find the one for you at So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.
The Sun
4 minutes ago
- The Sun
PIP households can get 10 free and cheap days out this summer holiday – see the full list
PIP households can get 10 free and cheap days out this summer. A number of attractions and venues offer discounted tickets to those suffering from disabilities or their carers so you can have fun without breaking the bank. 1 Here are 10 we spotted and how you can go about redeeming the cheap tickets. English Heritage English Heritage membership costs up to £144 a year and lets you explore over 400 sites across the UK. Anyone with membership and suffering from a disability can also take a carer with them to one of these sites free of charge. You don't need to take a proof of disability with you, and the carer doesn't have to be registered either. You can also bring a different carer with you to English Heritage sites each time. Find out more via Cadw Disabled people can apply for a free five-year membership to access Cadw historic sites across Wales. The Disabled Person's membership can be booked for those with: physical impairments sensory impairments intellectual impairments cognitive impairment Once you've signed up for a membership card, you just have to show it at the till and you and your companion will get free entry. 10 PIP freebies worth up to £40k You can find out more via National Trust National Trust offers The Essential Companion card which lets you bring one or two carers with you into one its sites for free. You just have to flash the card when you arrive and whoever is with you can go through the turnstiles without paying. You can sign up for one of the cards by calling the National Trust customer service line on 0344 800 1895. Or you can email enquiries@ Find out more via LEGOLAND Windsor Those on PIP can get one free carer ticket to get into LEGOLAND Windsor. You'll need to take a proof of benefit letter with you, as well as a photo ID of yourself to show to staff. Find out more via Madame Tussauds Madame Tussauds, in London, offers guests with accessible needs a free carer ticket, so long as you buy a full price ticket yourself. You'll need to take a proof of benefit with you on the day of your visit while your carer must be aged 14 or older. You can find out more via Sealife London Aquarium Popular attraction the London Aquarium offers carer's tickets for free, but those suffering from the disability have to pay. The person who needs a carer and receiving PIP will also need to be present on the day of the visit. You will have to take evidence you receive PIP with you so your carer can enter at no extra cost. You can find out more via Foundling Museum The Foundling Museum in London offers concessions to those on a host of government benefits including PIP. Tickets can bought on the museum's website via The full list of benefits that qualify for free entry is: Universal Credit Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit Personal Independent Payment Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance Guildford Spectrum Disabled customers heading to the Guildford Spectrum Leisure Pool and Ice Skating can get free carer's tickets. You receive one ticket per disabled customer by booking via If your application is approved, make sure you arrive on the day with a proof of benefit for your PIP or other qualifying benefit. The O2 Visitors to the O2 can claim "Personal Assistant" (PA) tickets if they need help from someone getting around due to a disability. However, you'll need a Nimbus Card to prove you're eligible for a carer. You can sign up for one of these free on the O2 website. You can book a PA ticket in addition to a normal ticket as part of the booking process. Visit for more information. The London Eye The London Eye is another attraction in the capital offering those with carers one free ticket. You can reserve a ticket during the booking process, with tickets bought via You have to take your proof of PIP with you on the day. If you are booking in a VIP experience, including the Champagne experience, the free carer's ticket won't cover these extra elements.
Daily Mail
4 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
JD Vance's family holiday destination in Cotswolds 'revealed'
After almost 200 turbulent days in office, US Vice-President JD Vance has earned the right to a relaxing holiday - so it may be of little surprise that he has reportedly chosen to retreat to a cosy corner of the Cotswolds. The 40-year-old is set to visit Charlbury, a civil parish around 12 miles north-west of Oxford, for his annual break with wife Usha and children Ewan Blaine, Vivek and Mirabel. Fashion journalist and socialite Plum Sykes told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that the family would be staying in a rented house in Oxfordshire, as Trump visits the UK to inaugurate his new golf course and hold talks with PM Sir Keir Starmer. Ms Sykes - who once served as assistant to Vogue editor Anna Wintour and reportedly inspired a character in The Devil Wears Prada - suggested Charlbury captures the quintessential idea of life in the English countryside. And as it happens, the tiny town is home to the UK's best pub - ideal for a man who confessed on the campaign trail last year: 'I do like to drink beer... I probably like to drink beer a little bit too much.' Ms Sykes claimed to know 'the whole story' about Vance's decision to take a transatlantic trip, which comes after chat show host Ellen DeGeneres relocated to the area - ironically, to escape the current US administration. She told Radio 4: 'There has been this mass exodus from America to the Cotswolds because it's an English fantasy of the countryside. But it's so glamorous and it's sort of very hot because one person goes, Ellen goes.' Ms Sykes continued: 'The fact that JD Vance has rented this house in Charlbury... I have to say I secretly know the whole story, but I can't tell you. It's just so hot and so trendy and so fashionable... it's an incredibly beautiful area because it's being protected, almost like a national park that you can live in. Americans cannot get over the charm but since Covid it's been refashioned with all the pleasures of London, Paris and New York.' Earlier this year, Charlbury was named as one of the best places to live in Oxfordshire, alongside the towns of Henley and Burford. It's only an hour away from London by direct train - making it an ideal place to live for the well-to-do commuter - and has a population of just over 3,500, per the most recent census. And if he does indeed favour a picturesque Oxfordshire escape, the second most powerful man in America will find himself well-entertained. As well as The Bull pub - which re-opened under new management two years ago - there is the Charlbury Museum, founded in 1949. Mr Vance could even take a trip to Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm Shop or The Farmer's Dog pub, both of which are just a few miles away. Ellen DeGeneres' farmhouse is also within reach - though the star is said to have hastily arranged a holiday to ensure she won't cross paths with the VP. Last week she revealed she is selling one of her two Cotswolds properties for a cool £22.5million – £7.5million more than she paid for it. Ellen and wife Portia de Rossi moved to the Cotswolds after she stepped away from showbiz under a cloud of allegations that her chat show had allowed a toxic work environment to foster. A probe eventually saw three executive producers sacked - and the star issue an apology on-air for her part in not tackling the issues sooner. She has since said she left the US to 'get away from Donald Trump' after he became president. 'We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis and I was like, "He got in",' she previously said. 'And we're like, "We're staying here then".' The US VP joins Beyonce and Jay-Z and Taylor Swift as fans of the bucolic area's chocolate-box villages, honeyed-stone, rolling hills and cosy pubs. Music mogul Simon Cowell and his fiancée Lauren Silverman also live nearby - as do David and Victoria Beckham, who own a Grade II listed property near Chipping Norton. The Beckhams are among the famous faces said to have visited the trendy Soho Farmhouse members club down the road in Great Tew - which hosted Meghan Markle's hen do before she and Harry made for Montecito. And just last week the Bull Inn hosted a pre-wedding dinner event for guests of Apple heiress Eve Jobs and her husband-to-be, the Olympian show jumper Harry Charles. Among the illustrious company at the event was Vance's predecessor Kamala Harris and Bruce Springsteen's daughter Jessica. The wedding itself took place on Saturday at St Michael & All Angels Church in Great Tew, a few miles away. But some locals say the 'Americanisation' of the tiny Cotswolds town could be its undoing. A local waiter called Harry told the Times last week: ' Charlbury as an area has changed a lot. I dislike that it's been heavily Americanised, it's lost its charm.' Mr Vance's family breaks have equally racked up disharmony during his short time in office. Earlier this month, Disneyland visitors were left outraged after Vance shut down rides so he could enjoy them with his children. The Vice President strolled through the theme park in Los Angeles, California, hand-in-hand with children Vivek and Mirabel - with a vast Secret Service security detail alongside them. Barricades went up outside popular rides including Pirates of the Caribbean as K9 units stood guard - with an entourage of 50 bodyguards and Disney personnel said to be involved in the visit. Mr Vance and his family are expected to arrive in Britain soon after the President's five-day stay in Scotland. Mr Trump is hosting talks with Sir Keir Starmer on the war in Gaza and US-UK trade today, after signing a deal on tariffs earlier this year. The Stop Trump Coalition protested his visit, and has outlined plans for further action during his state visit, which is expected to take place in September. It has proclaimed similar opposition to Mr Vance's British break in a statement - warning that his security detail could cause misery for locals. 'JD Vance is every bit as unwelcome in the UK as Donald Trump,' the organisation said. 'The prospect of such a heavy security presence in the winding rural roads of The Cotswolds is likely to spark logjams in an already overly congested area of the UK. We remember how Vance cut short his ski trip in Vermont because he was so enraged by the sight of a few protesters. We are sure that, even in the Cotswolds, he will find the resistance waiting.'
