Latest news with #LelystadAirport
ITV News
a day ago
- ITV News
Nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz who died in Southend plane crash 'was on first day in job'
A nurse who was among four people killed in a plane crash in Southend was on her first day in the job. Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, was on board the private medical jet that went down in flames after shortly after take-off on Sunday. Originally from Chile, Ms Ortiz was a German national, and is believed to have been on her first day on the job, according to reports. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise 7,500 euros for her family to help with the costs of repatriation and funeral services. Organiser Julia Estaben wrote on the fundraising page: "The death of our beloved Feña, in a tragic accident is still under investigation by the authorities. "In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organize ourselves to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses - transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to give her a proper send-off." The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm. According to a document that lists passengers, Ms Ortiz was on board along with two Dutch pilots, who also died. It is believed the fourth passenger was another nurse. The team had dropped off a patient in Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, said in a statement on Monday: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." "Zeusch Aviation continues to fully cooperate with the relevant investigative authorities and is providing all possible support to those affected.'Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. Lisa Fitzsimons of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it was "too early to speculate' on what may have caused the crash. London Southend Airport remains closed on Tuesday.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Everything we know about Southend Airport plane crash that killed 4 in fireball
Witnesses said in the moments before the crash they saw the pilots of the private medical aircraft waving to children as they prepared to leave the Essex airport All four people on a plane that erupted into a fireball just moments after taking off from London Southend Airport have died, with questions remaining about how the disaster could have happened. Flight SUZ1 crashed near the Essex airport's runway on Sunday afternoon, leading officials to shut down all incoming and outgoing travel. UK officials today revealed all four passengers on board the flight were foreign nationals. Shortly after take-off, the plane rolled to the left, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into a grassy area close to the runway. The Beech B200 aircraft was bound for a return flight to Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands when it burst into flames. In the moments before the crash, the pilots were seen waving to children, according to a witness. John Johnson, from Billericay, added that adults and kids alike had been waving to the pilots just minutes before the crash. He said: "We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us." This is everything we know about the Southend Airport disaster. Moments before disaster Maps from the live tracking service Flightradar24 showed the aircraft briefly taxiing down the runway before taking off and heading in the direction of Rochford. But the route tracking ends with the plane having spent just a few minutes in motion. The aircraft crashed around 4pm with all four people onboard dying in the incident. Who were the victims? All four people who were on board the plane were foreign nationals, according to UK officials. A nurse aboard the private medical jet has been named as German national Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz. The 31-year-old was born in Chile and had married her partner last year. A friend told The Mirror: "They were married last year. It was her first day on the job. She was a hospital nurse but then took a job with a private medical firm, she didn't tell anyone but this was her first day in the job. The firm that owns the plane says there were no survivors." The pilot and co-pilot were confirmed to have been Dutch nationals while another passenger was said to be a European national. Their identities have not been made public as of publishing. Investigation launched The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed it is investigating the crash. Aviation experts say the sharp roll to the left after take-off could indicate a loss of power in one engine, though the aircraft is designed to fly on a single engine. Lisa Fitzsimons (AAIB) said it was "too early to speculate" on what might have caused the plane crash. She added: "Our focus is on gathering the physical evidence from the accident site and interviewing witnesses. 'The remains of the aircraft will then be recovered to our facility in Farnborough, Hampshire, for further detailed investigation." When will airport reopen? London Southend Airport will remain closed until further notice as the investigation continues. The airport's chief executive Jude Winstanley said at a press conference today: "On behalf of everyone at London Southend Airport, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those lost in yesterday's tragic incident. 'We would also like to thank our local community for their messages of support and understanding at this difficult time. Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work during this period. 'We are in constant dialog with our operating airlines, and as I'm sure everyone will understand, the airport will remain closed until further notice. Passengers should contact their airline for information and advice.' Flights have been redirected to London Gatwick and Luton.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Southend Airport plane crash: four died, police confirmed
The airport remains closed today and all flights have been cancelled following the serious incident at 4pm yesterday. Police are due to hold a press conference this afternoon to issue further updates however it has now been confirmed four people have sadly died. Essex Police said they were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday to 'reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane' at the airport, calling it a 'serious incident' although there has been no confirmation of the number of casualties. Read more Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke coming up from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing a 'fireball'. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been 'involved in an accident' at London Southend Airport. The statement said the company was 'actively supporting the authorities with the investigation', adding: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.' Zeusch Aviation's website says the plane can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) spokeswoman said: 'The AAIB has started an investigation into an accident involving an aircraft near Southend Airport which occurred yesterday afternoon. 'A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data arrived at the accident site yesterday afternoon. 'Inquiries are ongoing today.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Four dead in Southend Airport plane crash
The crash, which happened at around 3.48pm, involved 'one 12-metre plane', Essex Police said. Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke coming from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing a 'fireball'. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been 'involved in an accident' at the airport. The statement said the company was 'actively supporting the authorities with the investigation', adding: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.' Zeusch Aviation's website says the plane – a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air – can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. It has also been deployed for aerial mapping flights. The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad on Sunday night. Southend Airport said its 'thoughts are with those affected' by the crash. John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a 'big fireball' after the plane crashed 'head first into the ground'. Mr Johnson, from Billericay, told PA that before the plane took off, 'we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us'. He added: '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. '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.' An Air Accidents Investigation Branch spokeswoman said it has started an investigation into what happened, and a 'multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data' arrived at the crash site on Sunday. The airport has been closed since the crash. There were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at the airport on Monday.
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Four dead in Southend Airport plane crash
The crash, which happened at around 3.48pm, involved 'one 12-metre plane', Essex Police said. Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke coming from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing a 'fireball'. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been 'involved in an accident' at the airport. The statement said the company was 'actively supporting the authorities with the investigation', adding: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.' Zeusch Aviation's website says the plane – a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air – can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. It has also been deployed for aerial mapping flights. The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad on Sunday night. Southend Airport said its 'thoughts are with those affected' by the crash. John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a 'big fireball' after the plane crashed 'head first into the ground'. Mr Johnson, from Billericay, told PA that before the plane took off, 'we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us'. He added: '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. '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.' An Air Accidents Investigation Branch spokeswoman said it has started an investigation into what happened, and a 'multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data' arrived at the crash site on Sunday. The airport has been closed since the crash. There were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at the airport on Monday.
