Latest news with #SUZ1
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Pilots killed in Southend Airport crash are named
The two Dutch pilots killed in the Southend airport plane crash that killed four people have been named. Captain Danny Marco Franken and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee were 'both highly respected and cherished colleagues', Zeusch Aviation said. They were flying a small Beechcraft B200 medical aircraft carrying newly hired nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, Dr Matthias Eyl, 46, when it nosedived into a fiery explosion on July 13. Zeusch Aviation said it will not release any information on the medical team on board flight SUZ1. Marco Rietvelt, managing director of Zeusch Aviation: 'Danny and Floris were not only highly skilled pilots, but also greatly valued and popular members of our team. 'Their passion for flying was matched by their dedication to their colleagues and the important missions they carried out. We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic loss.' A police investigation is ongoing. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Eggs thrown as protesters clash outside Canary Wharf migrant hotel MORE: Police blast 'hooligans' for £100,000 cost of Epping migrant hotel disorder MORE: What I Own: I bought my £212,500 Chelmsford one-bed with a government grant
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."
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.
Wales Online
15-07-2025
- Wales Online
Victims of Southend plane crash included nurse on first day of job
Victims of Southend plane crash included nurse on first day of job Police have confirmed the plane was a medical transport leaving London Southend for the Netherlands Essex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin speaking to the media outside Southend Airport in Essex Four foreign nationals died on board a plane that crashed after taking off from London Southend Airport, Essex Police said. The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm on Sunday. Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency understands. It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at 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. The Chilean nurse was on her first day on the job, according to reports, which named her as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family. In a statement at the airport on Monday, Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: 'Yesterday afternoon, an aircraft which had landed here earlier in the day took off bound for the Netherlands. Article continues below 'Shortly after take off, it got into difficulty and crashed within the airport boundary. 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.' The airport will stay closed until further notice. Its chief executive Jude Winstanley said: 'Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work during this period.' Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said 'it is too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the four people killed in the plane crash. In a message on X the Prime Minister said: 'Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday's plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. 'I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.' John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a 'big fireball' after the plane crashed 'head first into the ground'. Article continues below Mr Johnson, from Billericay, Essex, told PA that before the plane took off, 'we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us'. He added: 'It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, 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. 'There was a big fireball. I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.'
ITV News
15-07-2025
- ITV News
Four foreign nationals die in Southend Airport plane crash
Four foreign nationals died on board a plane that crashed after taking off from London Southend Airport, Essex Police said. The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm on Sunday. Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency understands. It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at 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. The Chilean nurse was on her first day on the job, according to reports, which named her as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family. In a statement at the airport on Monday, Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: 'Yesterday afternoon, an aircraft which had landed here earlier in the day took off bound for the Netherlands. 'Shortly after take off, it got into difficulty and crashed within the airport boundary. '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.' The airport will stay closed until further notice. Its chief executive Jude Winstanley said: 'Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work during this period.' Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said 'it is too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the four people killed in the plane crash. In a message on X the Prime Minister said: 'Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday's plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. 'I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.' John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a 'big fireball' after the plane crashed 'head first into the ground'. Mr Johnson, from Billericay, Essex, told PA that before the plane took off, 'we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us'. He added: 'It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, 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. 'There was a big fireball. 'I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.'
