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FOUR people have reportedly been killed after a plane crashed at Southend Airport yesterday.
The small medical aircraft corkscrewed in the air after takeoff and then nosedived into the group, erupting into a huge fireball.
The Beech B200 Super King Air was heading for Lelystad in the Netherlands, with an estimated departure time of 3.45pm.
The identities of the reported four people killed have not been confirmed.
Dramatic footage shows golfers at nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club running towards the burning wreckage.
Yesterday evening, a statement was issued: “All arrivals and departures at the airport have been halted as police, emergency teams, and air accident investigators address the situation.
“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.”
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.
They said the pilots of the plane had waved at children shortly before the collision.
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.
“The aircraft took off and within three or four seconds began tilting sharply to the left, and shortly after that, it seemed to nearly flip over before plunging nose-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.”
A bartender at the adjacent golf club, which was cleared out after the accident, reported experiencing “a huge wave of heat” prior to witnessing a “giant 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.
