Tragic Aircraft Crash at London Southend Airport: What We Know So Far

Incident Overview

London: Authorities have confirmed that a plane has crashed at London Southend Airport.

The Beechcraft B200 went down shortly after 4 PM on Sunday, just moments after its departure from the airport. Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames and thick smoke rising from the aircraft, as shared on social media platforms.

The East of England Ambulance Service dispatched four teams to the site, including a rapid response unit and a hazardous area response vehicle, along with a senior paramedic.

David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP representing Southend West and Leigh, took to X to express his concern: "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."

Essex police confirmed their presence at the scene, labeling it a "serious incident."

In a statement, Essex Police noted, "We were alerted shortly before 4 PM regarding a collision involving a 12-meter plane. We are collaborating with all emergency services at the scene, and this operation will continue for several hours."

A police spokesperson reiterated the need for the public to avoid the area while emergency operations are underway.

The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service reported that four fire crews, along with off-road vehicles, responded to the crash.

The aircraft was reportedly en route to Lelystad in the Netherlands.

An eyewitness shared 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. Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before."

As a precaution, police evacuated the nearby Rochford Hundred golf club and Westcliff rugby club due to their closeness to the crash site.

An eyewitness from Westcliff Rugby Club mentioned that a presentation event was occurring at the time of the incident.

Matt Dent, a cabinet member for business, culture, music, and tourism at Southend City Council, stated on X, "I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. 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."

According to the airport's website, four flights scheduled for departure on Sunday afternoon were canceled.

Details regarding the number of passengers aboard the aircraft have not yet been disclosed.

Authorities are actively working to assess the situation.