Overview

• A Beech B200 Super King Air bound for Lelystad crashed just after lift-off from London Southend Airport at around 4 p.m., erupting into a massive fireball and plume of smoke.
• Essex Police declared a “serious incident” and are coordinating operations alongside Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service.
• Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, Hazardous Area Response Team units, senior paramedic cars and an air ambulance were dispatched within minutes to assist at the scene.
• Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club were evacuated as a precaution and all departing flights from Southend Airport were cancelled or diverted to alternative airports.
• The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has opened an inquiry and authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were on board or whether there were any casualties.