Photos and videos shared on social media show the aftermath of today’s plane crash that sent huge plumes of smoke into the sky of Southend as emergency services rushed to the scene
Footage filmed across different parts of Southend shows the devastating aftermath of this afternoon’s tragic plane crash as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Images and videos posted on social media show a plume of fire and black smoke coming up from the crash site. Emergency services were called just before 4pm after a small plane that was travelling to the Netherlands crashed shortly after taking off from Southend Airport. Clips shared with The Mirror show a huge cloud of smoke rising towards the sky and firefighters rushing to the scene of the incident. In one of the videos, filmed close to the site of the crash, black smoke can be seen rising while flames are also visible on the ground.
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Police haven’t yet confirmed the cause of the crash or whether there were any casualties, but said they remain on the scene alongside fire and ambulance services. John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife, said he saw a “big fireball” after the plane crashed “head first into the ground”.
Mr Johnson, from Billericay, 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 or 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. 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.”
As a precaution because of their proximity to the incident, police said they were evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. But later, the chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club, which is close to the airport, later said people at the club did not end up having to evacuate following the plane crash.
Pete Jones said: “That didn’t happen in the end. (Police) changed their mind. We’ve got a big event there, 250 people, and they just said no, you don’t have to evacuate.” Mr Jones said the aircraft went down about 1,000m from the clubhouse and that people there could see smoke in the aftermath.
A bartender at the golf club, which is next door to the airport, said he felt a “big heat wave” before looking up to 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. People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything.”
Mr Philpott said he and others were collected from the course and taken back to the clubhouse where they remain now at a “safe distance” with the club closed. The Transport Secretary said her “thoughts are with all those involved” in the crash and she is “receiving regular updates.”
In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: “I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon. My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible. I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates.”
In a statement, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm. Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended. We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.”
The East of England Ambulance Service said four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance have been sent to the incident. According to the airport’s website, four flights scheduled to take off on Sunday afternoon have been cancelled.
In a post on X, David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: “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.”
Matt Dent, Southend City Council’s cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said 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.”
Southend Airport said in a 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.” In a further update this evening, the airport said it will remain closed until further notice, with all flights cancelled.