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ITV News
16-07-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Fourth and final body removed from plane crash wreckage in Southend three days after crash
The fourth and final body has been removed from the wreckage of a plane crash in Southend, as the airport announced that it would be reopening to passengers on Thursday. The medical plane crashed in Southend on Sunday, shortly after taking off from the city's airport. All four people on board the aircraft were killed in the crash. Essex Police said that retrieving the bodies had been a "complex and delicate" operation. Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said: "Our work is very much ongoing away from the site, and our investigation in parallel with the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) continues. "The aircraft is being carefully dismantled now to move into the next phase of the investigation." The four dead have yet to be officially identified, with experts using forensic methods such as DNA, fingerprints, and tattoos. On Tuesday, a crowd funder was set up for the family of a Chilean nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, who was reportedly on her first day on the job when the plane went down. According to a document that lists passengers, Ms Ortiz was on board along with two Dutch pilots, and a German doctor, believed to be Dr Matthias Eyl, 46. The team had dropped off a patient in Southend for treatment in the UK. They were due to return to base in the Netherlands before the crash at about 3.48pm. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, said in a statement on Monday: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." London Southend Airport had been closed ever since the accident, but on Wednesday partially re-opened to a small number of passengers. It said it would reopen fully on Thursday. A spokesman said: 'Four EasyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport [on Wednesday] evening. Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight. "Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday. "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday. Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work."
Sky News
16-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
All four people killed in Southend plane crash thought to be foreign nationals, police say
All four people who died in Sunday's plane crash at Southend Airport are thought to have been foreign nationals, police have said. The medical transport aircraft had dropped off a patient and was beginning its journey back to the Netherlands when it crashed at about 3.48pm on Sunday. Two Dutch pilots were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency understands. On board too was a Chilean nurse, 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, also known as Fena, Sky News understands. No details have been released about the fourth person's nationality, though Essex Police said the deceased were all foreign nationals. 1:24 John Johnson, who was at the airport with his wife and children, said he saw a "big fireball" exploding across the sky as the plane plunged "head first into the ground". "We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us," he said. "The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, powered up [and] rolled down the runway. "It took off and about three or four seconds [later] it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground." Mr Johnson added: "There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock [after] witnessing it." Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said the plane "got into difficulty" shortly after taking off and "crashed within the airport boundary". He added: "Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died. "We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals." Ambulances and fire crews were also called in. Southend Airport said it would be "closed until further notice" and urged people to contact their airlines. Its staff are "working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators". Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its flight SUZ1 had been "involved in an accident" at the airport and its thoughts were with "everyone who has been affected". The plane involved is reportedly a Beech B200 Super King Air with twin-propellers. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said a "multi-disciplinary team" arrived at the site on Sunday afternoon. Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior investigator, said it is "too early to speculate" on what may have caused the crash. 0:47 'Airport in lockdown' Wren Stranix, 16, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, was in another aircraft waiting to take off for Newquay in Cornwall with her family and boyfriend when the plane came down. They watched as the emergency services arrived and were unable to leave their seats. "The flight attendant didn't know what was going on," she told Sky News. "They said the plane had exploded and they didn't know if it was safe or not. The airport was in lockdown." EasyJet, one of only a few airlines to use the airport, said all its remaining flights to and from Southend had been "diverted" or were "no longer able to operate". David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, asked people to keep away from the area and "allow the emergency services to do their work" in a post on social media. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was "monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates". Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said it was "terrible news that four people [had] tragically lost their lives" and he thanked the emergency services.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- The Independent
Southend airport reopens after crash tragedy
Seventy two hours after four people lost their lives in a crash at Southend airport, the terminal is reopening to passengers. Four easyJet flights are expected to land at the Essex airport on Wednesday evening. A full service of departures and arrivals is expected from Thursday 17 July. Shortly before 4pm on Sunday 13 July, an air ambulance bound for the Netherlands crashed immediately after take off. The aircraft was a twin-turboprop Beechcraft B200 Super King Air. Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. Both pilots, a doctor and a nurse – named as Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz – died in the accident. They had dropped off a patient in Southend and were returning to the Netherlands. After the tragedy, all operations were immediately suspended, with inbound planes diverting to Gatwick and Stansted. Southend airport has remained closed, with easyJet running some of the planned flights from Gatwick. An airport spokesperson said: '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.' The aim is to get aircraft in position for the resumption of normal airline operations from Thursday morning. The spokesperson added:'Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday. Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work. 'Our airport staff and wider team are doing all they can to help during this incredibly difficult time, and will of course be on-hand to assist passengers as we return to service. The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support.' The first departure on Thursday morning is planned to be an easyJet flight to Malaga at 6.30am. The is continuing its work to determine the cause of the crash.
ITV News
15-07-2025
- ITV News
Nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz who died in Southend plane crash 'was on first day in job'
A nurse who was among four people killed in a plane crash in Southend was on her first day in the job. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, was on board the private medical jet that went down in flames after shortly after take-off on Sunday. Originally from Chile, Ms Ortiz was a German national, and is believed to have been on her first day on the job, according to reports. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family to help with the costs of repatriation and funeral services. Organiser Julia Estaben wrote on the fundraising page: "The death of our beloved Feña, in a tragic accident is still under investigation by the authorities. "In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organize ourselves to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses - transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to give her a proper send-off." The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm. According to a document that lists passengers, Ms Ortiz was on board along with two Dutch pilots, who also died. It is believed the fourth passenger was another nurse. The team had dropped off a patient in Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, said in a statement on Monday: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." "Zeusch Aviation continues to fully cooperate with the relevant investigative authorities and is providing all possible support to those affected.'Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it was "too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. London Southend Airport remains closed on Tuesday.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Terrified pilots heard panicking as near-miss sees planes come within FEET of each other
The Air China and SF Airlines pilots both appeared to blame the Russian air traffic control officer for "making a fuss" after they nearly collided in mid-air Terrified pilots were heard in a state of panic when they almost collided with each other over Russian skies. The Chinese cargo jet was flying over Tuva, a mountainous region near Mongolia, in the early hours of July 7 when the pilot of an Air China plane performed an "unexpected manoeuvre" and came within 300ft of the Boeing 767. The Air China Flight - which was bound for Milan - and the SF Airlines cargo plane bound for China should have been at least 1,000ft apart. As the cargo jet coasted at 35,000ft, the Air China pilot mysteriously started increasing altitude, taking the plane from 34,100 to 36,000ft, putting it on a near-collision with the Chinese cargo aircraft. Audio recordings have emerged on social media in China, which captures the frenzied moment the pilots tried to communicate with air traffic control. The close call saw both planes trigger their Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems. The Air China pilot is heard asking control why this had happened. The controller asked: "Are you climbing with instruction or without instruction? Confirm, please." The pilot replied: "No. Thank you." It's currently unknown why the pilot performed the irregular manoeuvre, with him mishearing instructions being one theory offered. He may have picked up instructions given to two other aircrafts, an Air China and Hainan Airlines plane, which were told to maintain altitude. The terrifying moment can be seen in flight tracking data, which shows the two jets on a direct collision course. They were both ordered to veer off in opposing directions, which managed to help avert another mid-air disaster. A separate recording has also emerged of the two Chinese pilots communicating in Mandarin after switching to a different channel. At one point the cargo pilot is heard saying: "I saw your plane climbing. Did [air traffic control] instruct you to? I saw that there was a plane ahead and it was only 20 nautical miles [37km] away and still climbing. Such a crossing altitude is very inappropriate. I guess you also heard me saying 'request traffic information'." It comes after another aviation disaster struck in the UK on Sunday. Four people were killed when a plane crashed into the tarmac before exploding into a "fireball" at Southend Airport. Witnesses reported seeing a huge plume of smoke billowing into the sky after the medical transportation aircraft crashed at 4pm yesterday. The plane had arrived in the UK in the morning and was due to fly on to the Netherlands, where its operator, Zeusch Aviation, is said to be based. One of the victims has been identified as Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, a 31-year-old Chilean nurse who was on her first day working on a private medical jet.
