**Medical Air Ambulance Crash at Southend Leaves Four Dead — Including Nurse on Her First Day**
A tragic plane crash at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon has claimed the lives of four foreign nationals, Essex Police have confirmed. The aircraft, a medical transport plane, was en route to the Netherlands at the time of the accident, which occurred at approximately 3.48pm.
Initial reports indicate that the passengers included two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse, identified as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, who was reportedly on her first day on the job. The group had earlier completed a patient transfer in Southend and were returning to their base in the Netherlands with Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch air ambulance operator based in Lelystad.
In a statement issued on Monday, Zeusch Aviation expressed its condolences, stating: “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.” The company added that it is “fully cooperating with the relevant investigative authorities and is providing all possible support to those affected.”
Those present at the airport described the horrifying sequence of events. Witnesses spoke of seeing a “big fireball”, and social media was quickly filled with reports and images of thick black smoke rising from the site. One eyewitness, John Johnson from Billericay, was at the airport with his family. “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back. 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,” he recalled, visibly shaken. “There was a big fireball. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family.”
During a briefing outside Southend Airport, Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin offered further details. “Shortly after take off, [the plane] got into difficulty and crashed within the airport boundary. Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died. We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals,” he stated.
As investigations continue, the airport remains closed until further notice. Chief executive Jude Winstanley went on record to acknowledge the efforts being made behind the scenes: “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.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has taken charge of the inquiry into the cause of the crash, with spokesperson Lisa Fitzsimons urging caution against speculation: “It is too early to speculate on what may have caused the crash.” Investigations of aviation accidents can take months and involve rigorous examination of aircraft systems, weather data, and pilot communications.
On the national stage, the incident has drawn responses from political leaders. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer conveyed his sympathies on social media, writing: “Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday’s plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.”
Support efforts for the families of the victims are already underway, with a GoFundMe campaign launched to assist Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz’s family, aiming to raise €7,500. The close-knit air ambulance community in Europe has also expressed its sorrow and called for heightened awareness of the dangers associated with medical flights.
As the investigation progresses and the airport community comes to terms with its loss, questions remain about what led to this fatal accident at Southend. For now, the thoughts of many remain firmly with those who lost loved ones in this devastating incident.