A DUTCH pilot and co-pilot were among four people who died after a small plane crashed at London Southend Airport yesterday.
The small medical aircraft corkscrewed in the air after takeoff and then nosedived into the ground, erupting into a huge fireball.
UnpixsThe remains of the plane following the crash[/caption]
UKNIPThe Beech B200 was set to travel to the Netherlands[/caption]
ReutersA plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after a small plane crash[/caption]
SWNSVideo footage showed the plane taking off moments before the fatal disaster[/caption]
The Beech B200 Super King Air was heading for Lelystad in the Netherlands, with an estimated departure time of 3.45pm.
A Dutch foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the nationality of both the pilot and the co-pilot.
They said they were in touch with the families and were “offering consular support”.
Their names have not yet been released as police are working to confirm their identities.
The plane was operated by the Netherlands-based Zeusch Aviation.
A report by the BBC found that its airport had lowered the Dutch flag to half mast, while a pilot at the Dutch site is worried his colleague may be among the victims.
Essex Police chief superintendent Morgan Cronin said a press briefing this afternoon: “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.
“Our thoughts are with the families and their colleagues at this tragic time, I can promise that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity.”
It comes as the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed a probe has been launched into the incident.
The government body added: “A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data are at the accident site gathering evidence.”
Dramatic footage shows golfers at nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club running towards the burning wreckage.
A statement last night from the airport said: “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.”
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the four victims today, writing on X: “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.”
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.
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.
PAEssex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin speaking outside the airport today[/caption]
PAPassengers outside the terminal building at Southend Airport today[/caption]
UKNIPLocals reported seeing a huge plume of smoke following the crash[/caption]
Video footage shows golfers running towards the incident which happened just before 4pmx
“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.
Jude Winstanley, CEO London Southend Airport, said: “On behalf of everyone at London Southend Airport, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those lost in yesterday’s tragic incident.
“We would also like to thank our local community for their messages of support and understanding at this difficult time.
“Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work – I would like to thank them all for their hard work during this period.
“We are in constant dialogue with our operating airlines and, as I’m sure everyone will understand, the airport will remain closed until further notice – passengers should contact their airline for information and advice.”
The Beech B200 Super King Air can carry up to 12 passengers
GettyEmergency services rushed to the scene[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
