VIDEO footage shows a group of golfers running towards Southend Airport – as a plume of smoke billows from a crashed aircraft.
Golfers at the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club were shocked by the incident at around 4pm today.
Golfers were evacuated from the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club[/caption]
Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the crashed medical plane[/caption]
Video footage shows golfers running towards the incident which happened just before 4pm[/caption]
A golf buggy raced towards the scene[/caption]
A medical transport jet reportedly crashed head first into the ground just moments after taking off.
The nearby golf club was evacuated following the incident, with a bartender describing it as “a big heatwave” as he saw “a massive fireball” in the sky.
Video footage taken from the golf course shows a group of shocked golfers racing towards a plume of smoke.
One man can be heard yelling “F***ing hell, look. Look at this.”
He then moves closer to the scene, asking the others what has happened.
A golf cart can be seen driving towards the incident.
A huge cloud of black smoke can be seen in the distance.
The Beech B200 Super King Air was reportedly set to travel to Lelystad in the Netherlands, with an estimated departure time of 3.45pm.
It was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients, although it is unclear whether a patient was onboard.
Witnesses described seeing a “huge fireball” at Southend Airport this afternoon at around 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, although it has not been confirmed how many were in the plane at the time of the crash.
London 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.”
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.”
Essex Police have issued an update that they have 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.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene[/caption]
A medical jet crashed head first into the ground at around 4pm at Southend Airport[/caption]
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.”
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 have 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.
All flights from Southend Airport departing today have been cancelled or diverted to alternative airports.
Updates will be issued as soon as possible.
