Additional Coverage:
Tragedy struck Southend Airport in Essex, England, on Sunday afternoon as a small Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, erupting into a devastating fireball. The plane, destined for Leylstad in the Netherlands, went down around 4 p.m. local time, just minutes after its scheduled departure.
Images and videos circulating on social media depict the horrific scene: a massive fireball and thick black smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the air near the edge of the runway. One eyewitness, Dani Hill, who lives near the airport, recounted seeing the explosion through her window, saying, “I’m still shaking like mad. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Emergency services, including Essex Police, rushed to the scene. Authorities are working to determine the number of casualties and those on board.
As a precaution, nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby club were evacuated. The East of England Ambulance Service deployed multiple crews, including specialized response vehicles and paramedics.
Local MP David Burton-Sampson urged the public to avoid the area and allow emergency services to conduct their work, offering his thoughts to those involved. Essex Police are continuing to investigate the incident and will provide updates as they become available.