Latest news with #medical transport
Sky News
6 days ago
- Sky News
Southend Airport partially reopens after plane crash killed four people
Southend Airport has partially reopened after being closed following a plane crash that killed four people. Flights to and from the airport in Essex had been suspended since Sunday afternoon when a medical transport aircraft crashed moments after taking off. A statement from the airport on Wednesday read: "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. "Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July." Please refresh the page for the latest version.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Investigators speak out as more details emerge over 'fireball' Southend Airport plane crash
Investigators probing the Southend Airport plane crash have spoken out as new details about the horror incident have emerged. It has now been confirmed that four foreign nationals died on board a plane that crashed after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday (July 13). The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm. Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency reported. 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. Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball' while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here 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 of Essex Police 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. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE 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 as Prime Minister 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.'
The Independent
14-07-2025
- The Independent
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. Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. 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. 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.'
