Four dead after plane crashes and erupts into huge fireball at London airport
Those on board a plane that plunged into the ground at a London airport stood no chance of surviving as chilling footage shows the moment the tragedy took place. See the video.
Four people have died after a medical transport jet crashed and erupted into a huge fireball in the UK, just minutes after take-off.
Footage shows the aftermath of the horror crash at London Southend Airport, which sent large flames and a cloud of black smoke into the air on Sunday.
“Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died,” Essex Police chief superintendent Morgan Cronin said on Monday.
“We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals,” he added.
The cause of the crash was still under investigation.
The two pilots were seen waving to kids moments before crashing into the ground, The Sun reported.
The international airport is located on the outskirts of resort town Southend-on-Sea in Essex.
The Beech B200 Super King Air, which was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients, was set to travel to Lelystad in the Netherlands.
It is not clear whether a patient was on-board and the total number of people on the plane is still currently unknown.
John Johnson, who witnessed the crash with his family, told PA news agency: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us.
“The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its takeoff, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway.
“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 of less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground.
“There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.
“All the kids saw it and the families saw it. I phoned 999, reported it.”
He added: “I’d say that we’re pretty shaken up.
“I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.”
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.”
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Originally published as Four dead after plane crashes and erupts into huge fireball at London airport