Explosion as ‘plane crashes moments after takeoff’ at Southend Airport
Sarah Hooper
A small passenger plane has crashed just after taking off from Southend Airport for the Netherlands.
Photos of the small Beech B200 aircraft in flames are being circulated on social media, with witnesses saying it went up into a ‘fireball’.
The plane was scheduled to fly to Lelystad in the Netherlands, according to initial reports.
Essex Police and ambulance crews are responding to the scene.
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ESN Report wrote on X: ‘Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on take-off at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway. Thoughts are with those on the aircraft.
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‘Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.’
Explosion as plane crashes at Southend airport
Those onboard had reportedly been waving to people on the ground before takeoff (Picture: UKNIP)
The plane had just taken off (Picture: FlightRadar24)
Small Plane Crashes in Huge Fireball at Southend Airport ??? Emergency Services at Scene Emergency services have rushed to Southend Airport following reports that a small aircraft has crash-landed, bursting into a huge fireball. A plume of smoke was seen rising from the airport at approximately 4pm, with multiple fire and ambulance crews currently on site. The crash is believed to have involved a small private plane, but the number of people on board is currently unknown. Small Plane Crashes in Huge Fireball at Southend Airport ??? Emergency Services at Scene Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and disbelief as flames engulfed the aircraft shortly after impact. Dani Hill, a nearby resident, told UKNIP ???I saw the huge fireball from my window. I???m still shaking like mad. I???ve never seen anything like it. Praying all involved are OK if any.??? Small Plane Crashes in Huge Fireball at Southend Airport ??? Emergency Services at Scene Airport Firefighters Joined by External Crews Southend Airport???s onsite firefighting team was first to respond, with additional fire crews and ambulances now on scene. The situation is being treated as a major incident. What We Know So Far A small plane reportedly crash-landed at Southend Airport at approx. 4:00pm A large fireball followed the crash, visible from nearby residential areas Multiple fire crews and ambulances have arrived Witness reports describe a chaotic and terrifying scene Casualty information has not yet been confirmed Authorities have not yet issued an official statement, and flight operations at Southend Airport may be affected.
Fire services are on the scene responding (Picture: UKNIP)
It is not clear how many casualties there have been after the fireball crash.
Dani Hill, who lives near the airport, said: ‘I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it. Praying all involved are ok if any.’
Jess Guppy told Metro: ‘It was honestly a surreal experience. We were at the viewing deck at the Holiday Inn with our one-year-old daughter, who loves watching planes take off.
‘The plane took off, then around 50 meters it sort of kicked to the left, then around 100 meters it abruptly banked to the left.
‘With that, it basically descended down headfirst and just burst into flames as it hit the ground. We can’t believe what we have seen.
‘It didn’t look like there was time to bail out. Luckily, I think my daughter is too young to know what really happened. I feel for the other kids who were there and witnessed it too.’
MP David Burton-Sampson wrote on X: ‘I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport.
‘Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.’
In a statement, Essex Police said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. We were alerted shortly before 4 pm 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. We would like to ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.
‘As a precaution due to their proximity to the incident, we are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. Updates will be issued as soon as possible.’
The ambulance service told Metro they sent four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars.
An Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance has also been sent to Southend Airport, they confirmed.
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