Southend airport to remain closed after fireball plane crash
Essex Police said it was alerted to a 12-metre plane on fire at the site in Southend-on-Sea shortly before 16:00 BST on Sunday.
On its website, the airport said all Monday's flights - departures and arrivals - have been "rerouted". It urged passengers to check with their airline for advice.
There has been no confirmation on the number of casualties.
Dutch company Zeusch Aviation confirmed that its SUZ1 flight had been "involved in an accident" at London Southend Airport.
Based out of Lelystad Airport in The Netherlands, the company said they were actively supporting authorities with the investigation, and that their thoughts were with "everyone who has been affected".
The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend, with a planned return to Lelystad Airport that evening.
John Johnson, 40, from Billericay, Essex, was watching planes with his wife and children when he saw a "huge fireball" after the plane crashed "head first into the ground".
Mr Johnson was at the airport with his wife and children to watch aircraft activity as he said his sons "are really into planes".
"You could see [the pilots] smiling and we all kind of smiled back, the aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take off point, powered up its engines and powered past us, carrying on down the runway," he told the BBC.
"It took off in probably three or four seconds. It started to bank heavily to its left.
"I said to my wife, that's unusual. We don't find aircraft normally turning at that stage in their ascent.
"Within a few seconds of that, the aircraft almost inverted and hit the ground. There was a huge fireball."
He called 999 to report the incident.
James Philpott, a bartender at the Rochford Hundred Golf Club, had been in a hut in the middle of the course when he felt "a big heatwave".
"I looked up and there was a massive fireball, basically," he told the BBC.
"Everyone was just quite shocked… we haven't seen anything like this.
"People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured."
People were evacuated from the course due to its close proximity with the crash, but Mr Philpott said some people remained in the clubhouse as it was further away.
The chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club, which is near Southend Airport, said people at the club did not have to evacuate following the plane crash.
Pete Jones said: "That didn't happen in the end [police] changed their mind.
"We've got a big event there, 250 people, and they just said no, you don't have to evacuate."
Mr Jones said the aircraft went down about 1,000m from the clubhouse and that people there could see smoke in the aftermath.
Essex Police said it was working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said: "In these very early stages it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex."
The force asked people to keep its emergency lines open by using its dedicated major incident portal when contacting them about the incident.
The transport secretary said her "thoughts are with all those involved" in the Southend Airport crash and that she was receiving "regular updates".
In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: "I'm aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon.
"The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible.
"I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates."
Earlier in the evening the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh and the Southend City Council's cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said they had been made aware of the incident.
David Burton-Sampson and Matt Dent posted on X that their thoughts were with those involved and with the emergency services responding to the incident.
Bayo Alaba, the Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, told BBC Essex: "It really shook me.
"My heart and thoughts go out to the families involved."
Flight tracking information shows the plane was a Beech B200 Super King Air.
BBC correspondent Tom Symonds said: "This sort of aircraft is a bit like a Land Rover of the skies.
"It's a bit like an all-purpose vehicle and we can see that it has been rented out for roles including medical evacuation, moving transplant material, aerial mapping, that sort of thing."
He said the "profile of this crash", with witnesses describing the plane veering to the left suggested "loss of power in the left engine".
The records of this type of aircraft showed "similar crashes over the last 10 years or so".
"One in particular, in Australia, there was a warning after that crash that the throttle levers - that control the power to the two engines - could slip back, reducing the power," he said.
"One former aviation accident investigator that I've spoken to said that is an area that might be investigated - but these planes can fly with one engine."
London Southend Airport
Essex Police
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
4 hours ago
- UPI
Greece and Turkey battle wildfires and extreme heat; Turkey sees 122 F
1 of 2 | Firefighters and volunteers battle a wildfire in the area of Kryoneri, in the suburbs of Athens, Greece, on Saturday. Photo by Yannis Kolesidis/EPA July 27 (UPI) -- Extreme heat, high winds and fires have plagued parts of Greece and Turkey amid the high tourist season as temperatures in Greece have risen to 111.2 degrees and in Turkey to 122.9 degrees. In the Karabuk province of Turkey, firefighters have battled fires for four days. In Eskisehir, Turkey, 10 people died on Wednesday, BBC reported. Ibrahim Yumakli, Turkey's forestry minister, said on Sunday that areas affected by fires were "going through risky times" and that it would be several days before they were fully contained. Some local authorities have restricted water consumption, including for the resort of Cesme on Turkey's west coast. Greece is battling five major wildfires with extreme temperatures likely to continue. There are 11 regions of the country at "very high risk of fire." Greece has formally asked for assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for six firefighting aircraft. Two major fires are on the islands of Kythira and Evia. Kythira, which is popular with tourists, is just off the tip of the Peloponnese peninsula, and Evia is a large island northeast of Athens. Firefighters were still battling to control major blazes on Kythira and Messinia, on the Peloponnese peninsula, Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis, Greece's fire service spokesperson, said. A fire in Kryoneri, a suburb northeast of Athens, has been contained. On Kythira, a blaze broke out Saturday morning in the village of Pitsinades. According to initial estimates, about 20% of the island has been affected by the fire. New evacuation alerts were issued Sunday, when the government ordered residents of several villages to leave. The fire service would not have been able to cope if "there had been another two or three fires like the one near Athens," Vathrakoyiannis told the New York Times. "The state mechanism has been called to engage in a titanic battle, simultaneously responding to dozens of wildfires across the country," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement. "To those who saw their properties destroyed by the fury of fire, know that the state will stand by your side." Climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis previously said they "have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed." Public broadcaster ERT reported on Kythira that "Tte first images are resonant of a biblical disaster as huge areas have been reduced to cinders and ash," The Guardian reported. The island's deputy mayor, Giorgos Komninos, was cited as saying: "Everything, from houses, beehives [to] olive trees has been burnt." Fires in Greece are becoming more frequent in the hot summers. Earlier this month, a fire forced 1,500 people to evacuate from homes and hotels on Crete, a popular tourist island. Scientists have designated the Mediterranean, including much of Greece, a "wildfire hotspot" as blazes become more frequent and destructive during hot, parched summers. Governments of the affected countries say the climate crisis is the cause.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Country pub of the week: the Angel on the Bridge, Henley-on-Thames
Pubs are keepers, protectors, collectors. Mostly of memories — walk in and there they are, behind the bar with the optics. The Angel, a pretty, black-and-white beamed Georgian place that stands tall beside the Thames, is full of them — there are the regulars here, the ones who only stop in before and after the Regatta, those on a weekend away. The pub's position is its everything, which is what keeps people coming back. Under hanging baskets blooming with petunias and begonias, benches line the waterfront, as if at any moment they might tip in. People have been known to. Views stretch down the river, full with cruisers, and sometimes a parade of Dunkirk boats. The beer is fine, with good Brakespear ales, and the wine list to the point. Food is fine. But really, you're here to make memories. Thameside, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BH,
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
Why Travelers Are Heading To London For Superclinic Skincare
Welcome to a new era of wellness, a term that is no longer defined by simple treatments, such as massages and facials, but rather a holistic concept that, these days, means a 360° approach to how we look and feel. What's more, the appetite for 'deep dives' into the culture of wellness has become a top reason as to why people travel in 2025, with wellness tourism reported as one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry. The 2024 Wellness Tourism Initiative report, by the Global Wellness Institute, pinpoints a 'diagnostic boom in wellness travel' as a major trend for this year. This surge, says the report, reflects 'a growing preference for tailored and proactive health approaches among travellers. Many health and wellness operators now offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments alongside traditional wellness activities, enhancing the overall visitor experience.' Inside the HVN in Knightsbridge, one of London's 'super clinics'. (Credit: AVC) The report continues: 'These offerings empower individuals to gain profound insights into their health status and make informed lifestyle choices while indulging in the rejuvenating benefits of travel. As travellers increasingly prioritize preventive healthcare and holistic well-being, the diagnostic booms in wellness travel are set to continue to reshape the tourism industry by seamlessly blending medical expertise with luxury hospitality.' When it comes to the wellness scene in London, this couldn't be truer. The city has witnessed a growth in state-of-the-art clinics and wellness hubs, of late, that are offering personalised, cutting-edge treatments all with diagnosis at their heart. The luxury club Surrenne, at the five-star hotel The Emory, for instance, is focusing on longevity with functional diagnostics ranging from cardiovascular and hormone tests to microbiome mapping. While the The HVN in Knightsbridge puts personalisation as its priority and offers everything from acupuncture to aesthetic treatments. In fact, the field of aesthetics has grown to become one of London's big draws for wellness travelers, with a host of expert names, working out of Harley Street and from their own clinics across the capital. Perhaps, unexpectedly, luxury hotels are also catching on to the trend with big name properties offering the latest in skincare by partnering with well-respected aesthetic doctors to offer guests scientific-led treatments. The Langham is one of London's top hotels which has collaborated with a leading aesthetic doctor, Dr Soni. (credit: AVC) The Corinthia hotel in Whitehall, for instance has collaborated with The London Regenerative Institute, which has opened up at its ESPAlife spa. Founded by renowned plastic surgeons Mr Tunc Tiryaki and Dr Steve Cohen, the clinic offers restorative aesthetic treatments that enhance longevity. While at The Lanesborough Club and Spa, guests can book in for 'advanced aesthetic' treatments, such as Soft Wave or Exosome facials, with Dr Galyna, an award-winning aesthetic doctor and wellness expert. Dr Soni's clinic at The Langham hotel offers the latest in aesthetic and holistic treatments. (Credit: Rebecca Searle) Dr Aswin Soni, a UK and US trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon (and the founder and owner of The Soni Clinic in Ascot) is the expert at hand at The Langham's Chuan Spa. Known for championing 'gentle rejuvenation' when it comes to anti-ageing treatments, his client-list is full to bursting with A-listers, who arrive for his 'light touch', undetected at the luxury hotel via a private entrance to his consulting room. Having studied at Imperial College, London, and trained in plastic surgery at Cornell in NYC, John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Royal Marsden Hospital in London, Dr Soni brings a medical approach and advanced know-how to his procedures, which vary from polynucleotides injectables to dermal fillers, with a focus on natural-looking and subtle results. With a background in plastic surgery, Dr Soni brings a science-led approach to skincare. (Credit: Rebecca Searle) 'It's not about changing how anyone looks,' he says. 'It's all about enhancing. A big part of my job is the consultation. I never give an opinion on what I think needs to be changed, because it is not about me. I listen and ask questions and then we come up with a plan that is bespoke for each of my clients.' Being based in a central London hotel, many of Dr Soni's clients are, in fact, frequent travelers (as well as high profile names), and he has adapted his approach to treat the effects that long-haul travel can have on their skin. 'Patients who travel a lot have more dehydrated skin in general, as there is lower humidity on planes which leads to skin dryness,' he says. 'Dehydrated skin leads to more fine lines and wrinkles, issues with pores, and changes to the texture and quality of skin.' The Alumier Aqua Infusion Mask is a must-have for travelers, according to Dr Soni. (credit: Alumier) He continues: 'I always tell my clients to use a hydrating moisturiser when they are flying and, if they can, to take a hydrating sheet mask to use on board. AlumierMD Aqua Infusion Mask is my secret must-have when I am flying. You simply apply it like a moisturiser, but it infuses the skin with deep hydration.' London's current spike in wellness offerings has been described in a recent issue of Harpers Bazaar as 'the rise of the superclinic' with the 'new generation of luxurious cosmetic centres here to cater for a discerning consumer for whom tweakments are as normal as a dental check-up.' Travel and wellness go hand in hand, says Dr Soni. (Credit: Rebecca Searle) Dr Soni agrees that the landscape in the capital city has changed. 'It certainly feels like an exciting time to be working here,' he says. 'What's more, the narrative within the aesthetic industry has aso evolved over the past few years. Patients no longer want a 'quick fix' but are focusing on long term skin health and quality. It feels more holistic, rather than surface level. As providers, we are not just thinking about what patients will look like in the next few months but, instead, it's more about the next few years.' 'A big development of late has been regenerative injectables, with collagen biostimulators, such as Sculptra by Galderma, and Plinest HPT polynucleotides by Dermafocus, at the forefront of this movement. The worlds of aesthetics and wellness have truly merged.' Sulptra gives a healthy-looking, youthful result. (Credit: Sculptra) An 'alternative' to filler, Sculptra is a regenerative injectable that helps stimulate your own natural collagen production to smooth facial wrinkles and improve skin tightness, revealing a 'refreshed-looking' you. Dr Soni explains: 'After the age of 20, we lose about 1% of collagen per year. Sculptra is the first and original poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA) facial injectable that targets fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of ageing due to collagen loss, gradually helping restore skin structure and volume.' Also in demand, says Dr Soni, is Dermafocus—a combination injectable which combines HPT polynucleotides with a skin booster. 'You get the regenerative effects from the polynucleotides, which includes collagen and elastin stimulation, as well as the hydration from the hyaluronic acid, so it is an all-round winner.' The Soni Clinic is a hub for those looking for subtle and natural skincare treatments. (Credit: AVC) 'At times, the aesthetics industry has had a bad rep,' says Dr Soni. 'That is mostly down to bad practitioners and horror stories when things go wrong. But, just like with any true luxury experience—including travel—it is all about a personalised, finessed approach, you can say the same for skincare. My advice is to choose your practitioner wisely.' 'At the moment, there is so much innovation going on within the world of skincare and London is at the heart of that. Many science-backed brands are really innovating and researching at an incredible rate. As the trends change towards collagen stimulation, and the health and quality of skin, certain brands are staying ahead, and innovating with thoughtful and innovative peptides, unique antioxidant formulations, and pioneering approaches to sunscreen. It is an industry on the rise and one that is at the forefront of science—the rockbed of the wellness industry, if you like. After all, if you look good, you will feel good.'
