Fireball at Southend Airport after small plane crashes

A small plane has crashed at Southend Airport in Essex.

Images posted online showed huge flames and a large cloud of black smoke, with one witness saying they saw a “fireball”.

Essex Police said it responded to “reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane” shortly before 4pm. They remain at the scene.

“We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours,” the statement said.

“We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.”

It has been reported that the plane involved in the incident is a Beech B200 Super King Air.

According to flight-tracking service Flightradar, it took off at 3.48pm and was bound for Lelystad, a city in the Netherlands.

One man, who was at the airport with his children and wife, said the aircraft “crashed headfirst into the ground”.

John Johnson said: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us.

“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.

“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.”

Mr Johnson said he phoned 999 to report the crash.

“I’d say that we’re pretty shaken up,” he continued. “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.”

Southend Airport said the incident involved “a general aviation aircraft”.

Four flights scheduled to take off from Southend this afternoon were cancelled, according to its website.

Flightradar data shows two planes that had been due to land at Southend were diverted to nearby airports London Gatwick and London Stansted.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said four crews, along with off-road vehicles, have attended the scene.

The East of England Ambulance Service said four ambulances, four hazardous area response team vehicles and an ambulance had been sent to the incident.

David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, posted on social media: “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.”

Local councillor Matt Dent said on X: “At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.”

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