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The Independent
14-07-2025
- The Independent
How Southend airport plane crash unfolded after aircraft explodes in fireball
An aircraft crashed 'head first into the ground' shortly after take-off from London Southend airport. Shocked witnesses saw a huge fireball erupt following the crash involving the 12-metre-long aircraft at the airport in Essex shortly before 4pm on Sunday. It is not known how many people were on the flight or if there are casualties. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been 'involved in an accident'. The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad on Sunday night. In a post on X, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander described the incident as 'tragic', adding that her 'thoughts are with all those involved' and that she was 'monitoring the situation and closely receiving regular updates'. Southend Airport remains closed on Monday until further notice, a spokesperson confirmed. What we know about the plane which crashed in Southend Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight was involved in the incident. The statement said the company was 'actively supporting the authorities with the investigation', adding: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.' Flight tracking data suggests the aircraft was a Beech B200 Super King Air, a US-built twin-engine aircraft which was bound for Lelystad. Zeusch Aviation's website says the plane can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. It has also been deployed for aerial mapping flights. Beechcraft King Air B200 costs up to £1.47million, according to sales listings online. An advert for the aircraft says it can carry 6 passengers and two cabin crew. The length of the cabin is nearly 17ft. The aircraft cruises at about 285 miles per hour, which is around 290 knots in airspeed. How long will Southend Airport be closed for, and what flights have been cancelled? A spokesperson for Southend Airport said it will remain closed on Monday until further notice. Ten passenger flights have been cancelled so far as a result of the crash at Southend airport – all on easyJet. Sunday evening flights linking the Essex airport with Faro in Portugal and Palma de Mallorca were grounded, along with the return legs. The first three departures on Monday morning – to Malta, Palma and Pisa in Italy – were cancelled. Around 1,700 passengers are believed to have had their flights cancelled. EasyJet has confirmed that it will operate all flights originally departing from Southend via other London airports on Monday. 'We are doing all we can to help customers rearrange their plans and have contacted them directly with options to rebook or receive a refund,' the spokesperson added. 'We continue to work closely with the airport to understand when operations are able to resume.' A 'big fireball' John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife, said he saw the 'big fireball' after the plane crashed. '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, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway. '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. 'Everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.' People inside the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club were evacuated. Bartender James Philpott told the BBC he felt a 'big heat wave' before looking up to a 'massive fireball' in the sky. He said: 'People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything.' How emergency services responded Essex Police, the East of England Ambulance Service and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service all responded to the crash. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: "In these very early stages, it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex." Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: 'We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm. 'Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off-road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford, attended. We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.' The East of England Ambulance Service said four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the incident. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirmed it has begun an investigation into the crash. A spokesperson said: 'The AAIB has started an investigation into an accident involving an aircraft near Southend Airport which occurred yesterday afternoon. 'A multi-disciplinary team, including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data, arrived at the accident site yesterday afternoon. 'Enquiries are ongoing today.'
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
This Morning hosts pay emotional tribute to British Air India crash passenger who appeared on show and is feared dead - gushing 'we loved his energy in the studio'
This Morning hosts paid an emotional tribute to a British Air India crash passenger who appeared on the show and is feared dead. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, featured on the ITV daytime programme in January and April this year and discussed the healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry he founded with his husband, Jamie Meek, 45, who was also thought to be on the plane. 'We are starting today with the tragic flight disaster dominating the news this morning,' Dermot O'Leary said at the beginning of Friday's instalment of This Morning. The couple are thought to be among the 241 victims who perished when the flight crashed just after take-off from Ahmedabad bound for Gatwick on Thursday (June 12). Dermot added: 'Sadly, one of those believed to have lost his life is Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek (second right) featured on the ITV daytime programme in January and April this year and discussed the healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry he founded with his husband, Jamie Meek, 45, who was also thought to be on the plane. The couple are thought to be among the 241 victims who perished when the flight crashed just after take-off from Ahmedabad bound for Gatwick on Thursday (June 12). Pictured: A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed 'Fiongal appeared on This Morning twice this year, we loved the energy he brought to the studio. Fiongal was on board the plane with his husband Jamie. 'The couple posted videos online about their flight just before boarding and our thoughts and prayers go to their loved ones and all those affected by the terrible tragedy.' Presenter Alison Hammond added: 'Of the 242 people of those on board, 241 lost their lives, including 52 from the UK, making it the worst aviation disaster involving British nationals since the 9/11 attacks.' Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell paid tribute to Fiognal on his Insatgram account yesterday. He posted a photo of Fiongnal smiling with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley alongside the caption: 'So so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick. 'I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although I'm a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over. 'And I know for a fact that he hoped to use his appearance on This Morning to build his Wellness brand, he had a great future ahead of him. 'Thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his partner Jamie.' Jamie and Fiongal, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday. In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break. In the clip, Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie? Jamie replies: 'I don't know,' with his partner laughing and responding: 'Thanks for your contribution.' Fiongal then jokes that his biggest takeaway was 'don't lose your patience with your partner' to which Jamie responds with a smile: 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.' As other passengers mill in the background, Fiongal laughs at the camera and reveals that he is going back to Britain 'happily, happily calm.' Jamie Meek's brother, Nick Meek, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11pm to get his dog who is staying with our Mum. 'She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It's a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago. 'Jamie and his husband Fin had been out there for 10 days as a couple to do a wellness retreat. 'They both worked in holistics and had their own business.' The caretaker from Birmingham said it was not the first time his brother had been to India but it was the first time they had gone as a couple. He said that his brother and Fin had married in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent. In other videos posted by the couple, they showed the stunning hotel they were staying in while in Ahmedabad having completed a seven-hour car journey. Fiongal lies on a large bed as he speaks to the camera, showing off a giant swing in their room and describes the hotel as 'beautiful. He beams: 'Feeling very, very happy.' The couple captured the happy time they had in India in a series of social media posts. This included getting henna tattoos, shopping for fine fabrics and other gifts and driving through chaotic traffic in a tuk-tuk. They arrived in Ahmedabad just a day before flying back with Fiongal posting in a video: 'So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened. 'We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it.' Jamie revealed what a memorable trip they had both had: 'We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been great way to round off the trip.' According to its website, The Wellness Foundry was founded by Fiongal in 2018 after he had a 'spiritual awakening' following a mysterious illness. The website adds: 'Seeking healing beyond conventional methods, Fiongal delved into alternative practices that resonated deeply within his soul.' The company specialises in tarot and psychic readings, reiki and other alternative spiritual therapies.
