Latest news with #medical aircraft
Telegraph
24-07-2025
- Telegraph
Captain who died in Southend airport crash named
The pilots of the plane that crashed into a fireball at Southend airport earlier this month have been named. Captain Danny Franken, 53, and First Officer Floris Rhee, 24, died on July 13 when a small medical aircraft nosedived to the ground. The two Dutchmen had just taken off in the twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200, which had just dropped off a patient, and were returning to the Netherlands. Also on board were Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a Chilean-born German nurse on her first day of work, and Matthias Eyl, a German doctor. Zeusch Aviation, the company running the flight, paid tribute to the 'professionalism, dedication and character' of Mr Franken and Mr Rhee. A company spokesman said: 'With great sadness, we can now confirm the identities of our flight crew who tragically lost their lives on flight SUZ1. 'Our two pilots, Captain Danny Marco Franken and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, were both highly respected and cherished colleagues. Their professionalism, dedication, and character will have a lasting impact on all who worked with them. 'On request of our customer, we do not release any information on the identities of the medical team that was on board of flight SUZ1. 'Our thoughts remain with their families, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss. Zeusch Aviation continues to offer support to the families and is in close contact with the relevant authorities as investigations continue.' The crash, which took place at 3.48pm, shut the airport until it fully reopened on July 17. Online flight tracking information suggested that the plane reached a maximum height of 175ft above Southend's fifth runway, facing to the north-east, before crashing. Data broadcast by the aeroplane's automatic onboard systems suggested that it drifted to the left before hitting the ground. An investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is underway. Marco Rietvelt, the managing director of Zeusch Aviation, said: '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. 'Our priority is to support the families of those lost, as well as our employees, during this incredibly difficult time. We are also fully committed to assisting the authorities in their ongoing investigation.'' Anna Smit, a friend of Mrs Rojaz Ortiz, said the 31-year-old nurse got married in February 2024 and had been 'so excited' for her new role as a flight nurse. Ms Smith told the BBC: 'She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that. She was so excited for this new job – it was her first day. 'She was just lovely. She was outgoing. She was fun. She wanted so much more with her life. Everyone is just struggling at the moment. We can't believe this is real.' Mr Eyl, 46, was confirmed as a victim of the crash by emergency rescue services in Germany.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Four dead after medical jet ‘corkscrewed in air & nosedived into ground' in fireball crash at Southend Airport
FOUR people are understood to have been killed after a plane corkscrewed in the air and nosedived into the ground at Southend Airport. The crash - involving a small medical aircraft - saw a huge fireball erupt into the sky yesterday afternoon. 8 8 8 The Beech B200 Super King Air that was heading for Lelystad in the Netherlands, with an estimated departure time of 3.45pm It is now understood four people were killed in the horror, as reported by The Press Association. Dramatic footage shows golfers at nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club running towards the burning wreckage. A statement last night added: "All flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident. "We ask that any passengers due to travel tomorrow (Monday) via London Southend Airport contact their airline for information and advice. "Our thoughts are with those affected by today'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." It comes after reports of the pilots having "waved to kids" at the airport moments before the horror crash on Sunday. The medical transport jet burst into flames after crashing shortly after taking off from the strip in Essex. It was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients, although it is unclear whether a patient was onboard. Witnesses described seeing a "huge fireball" just before 4pm, with Essex County Fire and Rescue called to the incident at 3.58pm. Air India victims' families slam 'cover-up' probe as questions remain over possible engine switch confusion They said the pilots of the plane had waved at children shortly before the collision. The twin-engined turboprop plane can carry around 12 people. John Johnson, who witnessed the crash with his family, said: "We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. "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 of less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground. "There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it. "All the kids saw it and the families saw it. I phoned 999, reported it." He added: "I'd say that we're pretty shaken up. 8 8 "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." A bartender at the nearby golf club, which was evacuated following the crash, said he felt "a big heat wave" before seeing a "massive fireball" in the sky. James Philpott told the BBC: "I was just basically in a hut like in the middle of the course and I didn't even see any plane go down or anything and I just felt like a big heat wave come through and I looked up and there was just a massive fireball basically 100 foot in the sky. "It was more the heat really just kind of hit me as I was sitting there, just like, feel like I'm baking." He continued: "I think everyone was just quite shocked to be honest." I've got a flight booked - what should I do? By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel THE closure of Southend Airport could not have come at a worst time. With the start of the school holidays just a week away, schedules would have ramped up for both low-cost giant easyJet and domestic airline Eastern Airways. At easyJet there is the possibility of diverting flights to its other bases in the south east including Gatwick and Luton. Anyone impacted should immediately contact their airline and make sure they also have all your most up to date contact details. As the closure of the airport was in no way the fault of the airlines there is no compensation due. But airlines do have a duty of care to ensure you are looked after and crucially delivered to your final destination as soon as possible. You are also entitled to a refund but bear in mind if you take this option, your airline will then have no further responsibility. Those abroad who have been unable to return to the UK due to the airport closure should still be provided with food and drink during any delay and overnight accommodation if it is necessary. If your airline does not provide you with vouchers for refreshments or a hotel, you are able to claim any expenses back from the airline but only if the purchases are proportionate and make sure to keep all receipts. If you have travel insurance it is also worth checking to see if you can claim for any other expenses, such as accommodation or tours that you were unable to take. London Southend Airport said in a previous statement: "We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft. "We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible." The cause of the crash is currently unknown. A statement from Essex Police reads: "We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. "We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. "We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours." In an update Essex Police said that they have now opened a dedicated online portal and phone line for anyone with information. They added: "Flights at the airport were quickly grounded to ensure work could immediately begin on extinguishing the flames as quickly as possible. "We have put a wide cordon in place to ensure all our emergency service colleagues can carry out their work safely, and we will be doing so overnight and into tomorrow morning." 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. 'Please help us keep our emergency lines open by using these specific channels if you're contacting us about this incident. 'We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why." Essex Police asked the public to avoid the area, and also evacuated the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club. Two fire crews from Southend, two from Rayleigh Weir and Basildon, and off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended the scene. The East of England Ambulance service announced that they had sent four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to the scene. 8 8
