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- This is a breaking story, more to follow
A small plane has crashed after takeoff from Southend Airport, exploding into a huge fireball metres from the runway.
The small Beech B200 aircraft was reportedly heading to the Netherlands but images of a blaze at the airport have been circulating on social media.
Footage has also been seen of a black plume of smoke billowing up to a hundred metres into the sky.
The flight to Lelystad was scheduled to take off at 3.45pm but after a ten minute delay it appears to have veered off the runway, according to Flightradar.
It is unclear how many people were onboard but Essex police, ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene.
Residents are being advised to stay away from the area and several flights have been cancelled since the crash.
Dani Hill, who lives near the airport, told The Daily Star: ‘I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it. Praying all involved are ok if any.’
One user wrote on X: ‘Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on take-off at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway.
‘Thoughts are with those on the aircraft.
A small plane has crashed, exploding into a fireball after takeoff from Southern Airport
The small Beech B200 aircraft was reportedly heading to the Netherlands but images of a huge fire with black smoke metres from the runway have been circulating on social media
A huge plume of black smoke was seen coming off the runway
A huge cloud of black smoke was seen billowing from the side of the runway
The smoke clouds could be seen from the car park
The small Beech B200 aircraft was scheduled to take off at 3.45pm but after a ten minute delay it appears to have veered off the runway (stock photo)
A fire engine was seen at Southend Airport
‘Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.’
MP David Burton-Sampson wrote on X: ‘I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport.
‘Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.’
Local sports clubs, the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club, have also been evacuated due to its proximity to the explosion as a ‘precaution’, police have said.
A 5.25pm flight to Faro has been cancelled, as well as a 5.30pm flight to Palma de Mallorca.
East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance have been sent to Southend Airport responding to reports of an incident involving an airplane.’
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: ‘We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm.
‘Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended.
‘We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.
‘Please avoid the area if possible while this work continues.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
