Emergency services rushed to London Southend Airport on Sunday following a small plane crash that prompted immediate response and disruption to flight operations.
CNN reported that details surrounding the aircraft’s destination and number of passengers on board remain undisclosed.
However, the airport confirmed via social media that a “serious incident” had occurred involving what it described as a general aviation aircraft.
All inbound and outbound flights have since been suspended until further notice, as emergency crews and air accident investigators continue their work at the site.
According to reports from British media, the aircraft was a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, a medical transport jet designed to carry patients and fitted with onboard medical equipment. It was reportedly en route to the Netherlands.
Moments after the crash, images showing thick black smoke and flames billowing from the crash site began circulating online.
The downed plane is said to measure approximately 12 meters (39 feet) in length.
Eyewitness John Johnson, who was present at the airport with his family, recounted the harrowing scene, “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 said. “There was a big fireball.”
Johnson added that prior to takeoff, he and his family exchanged waves with the pilots.
“They all waved back at us,” he noted. In the aftermath of the crash, Johnson described a swift response from the airport’s fire unit, which immediately dispatched two engines to the scene. Local police, ambulance teams, and firefighters soon followed.
Essex Police confirmed they were alerted shortly before 4 p.m. local time and are currently coordinating with emergency responders at the scene.
“We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours,” the police statement said.
David Burton-Sampson, the Member of Parliament for the area, urged members of the public to avoid the scene and allow emergency teams to carry out their duties. “My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he said.
