Latest news with #Southend Airport
Sky News
7 hours ago
- Sky News
Doctor was among four people killed in Southend Airport plane crash - as one victim's body not yet recovered
A doctor was among the four people who died in a plane crash at Southend Airport - as police say they are yet to recover the body of one victim. Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse, 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, also known as Fena, died in the crash that caused a fireball at the airport on Sunday. In an update on Tuesday, Essex Police said it had recovered three bodies and "we're continuing to work on recovering a fourth body within the next 24 hours". "We're also now able to confirm the flight in question was a medical flight chartered to London Southend Airport for a patient to be transported onward for medical treatment in the UK," the force added. "On board the flight when it tragically crashed were the commander and the co-pilot - who are both men - and a nurse, a woman, and a doctor, a man, all of whom died." Police said they not yet able to officially confirm the identities of the victims. 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. 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." Please refresh the page for the latest version.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Second victim of Southend Airport plane crash is named as 'fantastic' German paramedic father as probe into tragedy continues
The second victim of the Southend Airport plane crash tragedy has been revealed to be a 'fantastic' German paramedic and father. Dr Matthias Eyl, 46, from Kleinmaischeid in west Germany, worked as a paramedic and was also employed as a doctor aboard international flights transporting patients, German media reports. A total of four people, all foreign nationals, died after the plane, bound for the Netherlands, crashed and burst into flames just seconds after takeoff at 3.48pm on Sunday. Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, according to a document which lists passengers. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Earlier it was revealed that nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German citizen born in Chile, was also killed in the crash during her first day on the job. It is understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands. The German Red Cross said in a statement: 'We are deeply shocked and infinitely saddened by the sudden death of our esteemed emergency paramedic Matthias Eyl, who died in a plane crash yesterday at the age of just 46 years old. 'Matthias has been in service with us over many years: as a doctor, comrade and friend. With his warm, honest, and humorous nature, he has not only provided medical assistance, but shaped our community. A total of four people, all foreign nationals, died after the plane, bound for the Netherlands, crashed and burst into flames just seconds after takeoff at 3.48pm on Sunday 'He was a man who listened, tackled and encouraged [...] when it came down to it. His commitment was not taken for granted, his loss is immeasurable. 'We lose not only a reliable doctor, but above all a special person. Our thoughts are with his family and all those close to him. 'Take care, Matthias. We will never forget you!' 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.' The plane, which is often used for mapping and for medivac journeys, had completed two trips that day, one from Athens in Greece to Pula in Croatia and then from Pula to Southend, landing in the UK at 2.51pm. An hour later it took off again, with witnesses describing 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 Ms Ortiz, 31. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family. The firm both medical staff worked for, Globalmed, said in a statement: 'It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the tragic loss of two of our dear medical colleagues and friends. Their passing away has left a deep void in our teams and in our hearts. 'They were not only valued medical professionals but also kind, inspiring individuals whose presence brought light and strength to those around them. Their dedication, warmth, and friendship will be deeply missed by all who knew them. 'We honour their memory and hold them in our hearts. May they rest in peace. 'We are in frequent contact with the relatives and offer our help where possible. 'As a medical company without aircraft, we are not involved in investigations by the UK authorities concerning flight SUZ1. They will only inform the the airplane operator, and not us.' 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.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Four foreign nationals died in airport plane crash
Four people who died when a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport are believed to be foreign nationals, police have confirmed. The airport has been closed since emergency services were called to the incident involving a Beech B200 Super King shortly before 16:00 BST on Sunday. Witnesses described a "fireball" type explosion soon after the Netherlands-bound light aircraft had taken off. All four people were killed in the crash - two pilots and two passengers - and Essex Police said in a press conference on Monday it believed they were foreign nationals. The names of the four who died have not been released but officers are now working to confirm their identities. Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said the victims would be "treated with the utmost respect and dignity". The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has put in place a significant air exclusion zone surrounding the crash site. All flights to and from the airport on Monday have been rerouted, with passengers advised to check with their airline for advice. The plane was operated by Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, which has confirmed it is "actively supporting the authorities with the investigation". The aircraft had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was due to return to Lelystad on Sunday evening. BBC reporter Sofia Bettia has been at the headquarters of Zeusch Aviation – a privately owned company operating 14 aircraft. "This is a small airport in the Netherlands, on an island to the east of Amsterdam - and today, it is almost deserted. "We just saw airport security staff lowering the Dutch flag to half mast at the entrance of the airport. "Zeusch specialises in medical evacuation flights, private charters, and aerial filming for various events. "We were able to speak to a pilot from another airline. He told us he's worried that one of his colleagues may be among the victims, as many of the staff here know one another." Detectives and forensic teams are working in parallel with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the Royal Air Force, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and London Southend Airport to work out what happened. Speaking at the press conference, Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior inspector at the AAIB, said it was "too early to speculate on what caused this tragic accident". "If there are safety lessons that can be learned, we will make recommendations that will aim to prevent a similar accident occurring," she said. Eight of its inspectors are now at the crash site. John Johnson, 40, from Billericay, Essex, witnessed the crash while watching planes with his wife and children. "You could see [the pilots] smiling and we all kind of smiled back. "It took off in probably three or four seconds. It started to bank heavily to its left," he told the BBC. Then within a few seconds, "the aircraft almost inverted and hit the ground. There was a huge fireball," he said. A London Southend Airport spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by [Sunday's] events and all passengers impacted by this disruption. "We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Four people were killed in Southend Airport plane crash Aerial video shows plane crash site and wreckage Airport to remain shut after fireball plane crash Essex Police plane crash portal
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Four foreign nationals died in plane crash at London Southend Airport
Four people who died when a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport are believed to be foreign nationals, police have confirmed. The airport has been closed since emergency services were called to the incident involving a Beech B200 Super King shortly before 16:00 BST on described a "fireball" type explosion soon after the Netherlands-bound light aircraft had taken off. All four people were killed in the crash - two pilots and two passengers - and Essex Police said in a press conference on Monday it believed they were foreign nationals. The names of the four who died have not been released but officers are now working to confirm their Supt Morgan Cronin said the victims would be "treated with the utmost respect and dignity".The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has put in place a significant air exclusion zone surrounding the crash flights to and from the airport on Monday have been rerouted, with passengers advised to check with their airline for Beech B200 Super King Air plane was operated by Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, which has confirmed it is "actively supporting the authorities with the investigation".The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was due to return to Lelystad on Sunday evening. Detectives and forensic teams are working in parallel with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), the Royal Air Force, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and London Southend Airport to work out what at the press conference, Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior inspector at the AAIB, said it was "too early to speculate on what caused this tragic accident"."If there are safety lessons that can be learned, we will make recommendations that will aim to prevent a similar accident occurring," she of its inspectors are now at the crash site. A London Southend Airport spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by [Sunday's] events and all passengers impacted by this disruption."We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
4 people were killed in a small plane crash near London Sunday, police say
Plumes of smoke are seen above London's Southend Airport after a small plane crash was reportedly involved in a collision. (@AGUSSROMAGNOLI via X) LONDON -- Police say four people died aboard a small plane that crashed shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday. Essex Police said Monday that work is continuing to identify the victims, none of whom are British. The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air operated by Dutch firm Zeusch Aviation had flown from Athens, Greece to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was due to return to its home base of Lelystad, in the Netherlands, on Sunday evening. The 23-metre (39-foot) turboprop plane came down moments after takeoff and burst into flames. Zeusch Aviation operates medical evacuation and transplant flights as well as aerial mapping and private charters, according to its website.
