Latest news with #medicaltransport
Sky News
16-07-2025
- General
- Sky News
All four people killed in Southend plane crash thought to be foreign nationals, police say
All four people who died in Sunday's plane crash at Southend Airport are thought to have been foreign nationals, police have said. 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. Two Dutch pilots were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, the PA news agency understands. On board too was a Chilean nurse, 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, also known as Fena, Sky News understands. No details have been released about the fourth person's nationality, though Essex Police said the deceased were all foreign nationals. 1:24 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." Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said the plane "got into difficulty" shortly after taking off and "crashed within the airport boundary". He added: "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." Ambulances and fire crews were also called in. Southend Airport said it would be "closed until further notice" and urged people to contact their airlines. Its staff are "working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators". Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its flight SUZ1 had been "involved in an accident" at the airport and its thoughts were with "everyone who has been affected". The plane involved is reportedly a Beech B200 Super King Air with twin-propellers. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said a "multi-disciplinary team" arrived at the site on Sunday afternoon. Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior investigator, said it is "too early to speculate" on what may have caused the crash. 0:47 'Airport in lockdown' Wren Stranix, 16, from Woodbridge in Suffolk, was in another aircraft waiting to take off for Newquay in Cornwall with her family and boyfriend when the plane came down. They watched as the emergency services arrived and were unable to leave their seats. "The flight attendant didn't know what was going on," she told Sky News. "They said the plane had exploded and they didn't know if it was safe or not. The airport was in lockdown." EasyJet, one of only a few airlines to use the airport, said all its remaining flights to and from Southend had been "diverted" or were "no longer able to operate". David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, asked people to keep away from the area and "allow the emergency services to do their work" in a post on social media. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was "monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates". Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister, said it was "terrible news that four people [had] tragically lost their lives" and he thanked the emergency services.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Who was on the Southend airport plane crash? What we know about the victims as four deaths confirmed
A nurse from Chile has been named as one of the four people killed when an aircraft crashed at Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon. The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm on Sunday. The nurse from Chile - Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz - was onboard with two Dutch pilots and one other person, according to a document which lists passengers. 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. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz The 31-year-old was a German citizen born in Chile and had reportedly worked as a nurse in the public sector before becoming a flight nurse. Friends of the nurse told the BBC that she was the "kindest soul" and that she "didn't have a single bad bone in her body". They also said that "she was humble and chose a profession that reflected that". Chilean media has also shared a tribute written by her family following her death. "It is with deep sorrow that we report the tragic passing of our beloved , who passed away today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a plane crash in London," the statement shared by Chilean news site T13 reads. The message which has been translated from Spanish, added: "The news of her passing is immensely difficult to accept; she was a person who marked the passing of those of us who knew her." "Her charisma, love, humour, and kindness, which characterised her as a person, will remain alive in our memories and in our hearts forever," they added. A friend told the Mirror: "It was her first day on the job. She was a hospital nurse but then took a job with a private medical firm, she didn't tell anyone, but this was her first day in the job.' The friend added that she married just one year ago, and her wife can barely speak because she is so distraught. On a Gofundme page set up to raise cash for Maria's family, a friend has written: 'It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of our beloved Feña, in a tragic accident that is still being investigated by the authorities. We know that the pain is immense and shared by the many people who loved her and supported her at different stages of her life. 'In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organise to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses – transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to say a proper goodbye.' Two Dutch pilots and fourth person on board Two Dutch pilots were also on board, along with a fourth foreign national. However, their names have not yet been officially released. Chief Superintendent, Morgan Cronin who is overseeing the investigation confirmed all four people on board the plane died. He said "We're working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals. "Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues at this tragic time. I can promise them that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity.' Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to those affected in a message on X. The Prime Minister wrote: "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."
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
NHS drones to fly over Kensington Palace and Hyde Park
NHS drones will fly over Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and Oxford Circus under new plans to ferry urgent medical samples across London. Plans for autonomous flights between 12 hospitals in the capital have been submitted to the airspace regulator in what could lead to a city-wide drone network. The proposals would allow flights over large swathes of London, ranging from Wimbledon in South West London to Chadwell Heath in East London. The NHS is hoping that drone flights can cut costs and lead to much faster test results. It has been trialling the technology to deliver samples between the roofs of Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals south of the Thames, a distance of just under one and a half miles. Apian, the medical logistics company behind the trials, has already delivered 5,000 blood samples and recently secured permission to expand flights between the hospitals from 10 a day to 40. It is now seeking to expand the system with new 'air highways' linking other hospitals. One would link hospitals including Charing Cross, Great Ormond Street, University College Hospital and the Royal Free over central and north London. Another would cover Queen Mary's Hospital, St George's Hospital and the Nelson Health Centre around Wimbledon, Tooting and Putney, with a third zone in East London linking King George Hospital, Queen's Hospital and Barking Hospital. If approved, the plans would make the autonomous vehicles a frequent sight over central London. Apian, which uses drones made by Google's Wing unit, started the flights between Guy's and St Thomas' in November, allowing blood samples from the former to be quickly analysed at St Thomas' laboratory. Previously, samples had been couriered by motorcycle, which the companies said added to congestion and took half an hour on average, compared to a two minute flight between the hospitals by drone. Apian claims the drones are also 40pc cheaper. Apian was founded by two NHS doctors, Christopher Law and Hammad Jeilani, as well as Alexander Trewby, an entrepreneur who sold his security company to Google. The company has also carried out trials in Northumberland and The Solent. It recently unveiled a tie-up with Silicon Valley drone company Matternet and is developing autonomous ground robots, which could collect samples from the drone on a hospital roof and deliver them to the lab. The innovation agency Nesta has proposed a city-wide drone network of 34 hospitals across the capital. Civil Aviation Authority rules require airspace to be closed off to other vehicles when autonomous drones are flying, although the regulator is supporting a series of trials designed to allow drones to share the sky with other aircraft. Amazon is developing plans to launch household drone deliveries in Darlington later this year.
National Post
26-06-2025
- Health
- National Post
Last three victims of Quebec Airmedic helicopter crash recovered
The search for three people who were unaccounted for after a medical transport helicopter crashed on Quebec's North Shore came to an end late Wednesday night after police divers located their bodies in a lake. Article content Montreal-area company Airmedic says Quebec's provincial police have found the bodies of its two missing crew members, along with a patient, in Lake Watshishou, located 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. Article content Article content 'This confirmation has deeply moved our team,' Airmedic said in a statement at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. Article content Article content 'A time of remembrance begins for the Airmedic family. We will take the time to pay tribute to them and honour their commitment. They lost their lives while attempting a rescue —a gesture that reflects their passion, their vision, and the meaning they gave to their profession.' Article content The crew was performing a medical transport when it crashed last Friday. Article content The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has opened an investigation into the crash. Article content
CTV News
26-06-2025
- CTV News
Bodies of three people missing after Airmedic helicopter crash in Quebec recovered
An Airmedic medical transport aircraft on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in Saint-Hubert. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) MONTRÉAL — The search for three people who were unaccounted for after a medical transport helicopter crashed on Quebec's North Shore came to an end late Wednesday night after police divers located their bodies in a lake. Montreal-area company Airmedic says Quebec's provincial police have found the bodies of its two missing crew members, along with a patient, in Lake Watshishou, located 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. 'This confirmation has deeply moved our team,' Airmedic said in a statement at around 10 p.m. Wednesday. 'A time of remembrance begins for the Airmedic family. We will take the time to pay tribute to them and honour their commitment. They lost their lives while attempting a rescue—a gesture that reflects their passion, their vision, and the meaning they gave to their profession.' The crew was performing a medical transport when it crashed last Friday. Rescue crews found one survivor — a male crew member — the day of the crash with non-life-threatening injuries. The company said the coroner's office will share the identity of the victims once their families give consent to do so. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has opened an investigation into the crash. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025.
