WATCH: Southend airport footage shows the full horror of the aftermath | UK | News

Dramatic visuals from different areas of Southend capture the harrowing scene following this afternoon’s catastrophic plane crash, prompting a rapid emergency response.

Social media has been flooded with harrowing footage showing a fireball and thick black smoke billowing from the disaster site. Emergency units were alerted shortly before 4pm as a light aircraft bound for the Netherlands went down not long after departing from Southend Airport.

The Mirror received clips portraying a massive smoke column stretching skyward with fire brigades dashing to the devastation. One video, shot near the wreckage, displays dark fumes ascending alongside evident ground flames.

Authorities have yet to establish the cause or confirm any casualties and are presently joined by firefighting and medical teams at the location. Eyewitness John Johnson, present at the airport with his family, described witnessing an intense “big fireball” as the aircraft nosedived.

Mr Johnson, a Billericay resident, recounted: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, 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 or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground,” reports the Mirror.

An eyewitness described the harrowing moment of an aircraft crash, saying: “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 also expressed his emotional state: “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.”

Due to the proximity of the incident, the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club were initially slated for evacuation by the police. The chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club later clarified the situation at the venue which lies close to the airport, stating: “That didn’t happen in the end. (Police) changed their mind. We’ve got a big event there, 250 people, and they just said no, you don’t have to evacuate.”

He added that the club is approximately 1,000 metres from where the crash occurred and attendees witnessed smoke thereafter.

A staff member at the neighbouring golf club recounted his experience, noting the intense sensation caused by the accident. James Philpott spoke to the BBC, recounting: “I was just basically in a hut like in the middle of the course and I didn’t even see any plane go down or anything and I just felt like a big heat wave come through and I looked up and there was just a massive fireball basically 100 foot in the sky.

“It was more the heat really just kind of hit me as I was sitting there, just like, feel like I’m baking.”

He elaborated: “I think everyone was just quite shocked to be honest. People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything.”

Mr Philpott recounted how he and others were evacuated from the course and taken back to the clubhouse where they are currently stationed at a “safe distance” with the club now shut. The Transport Secretary has expressed her concern, stating her “thoughts are with all those involved” in the crash and that she is “receiving regular updates.”

Heidi Alexander posted on X, saying: “I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon. My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible. I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates.”

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service released a statement confirming: “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.”

The East of England Ambulance Service mobilised a significant emergency response to an incident at Southend Airport, dispatching four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars, and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. The airport’s operations have been impacted, with four flights scheduled for Sunday afternoon being cancelled.

David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, posted on social media: “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.”

Matt Dent, Southend City Council’s cabinet member responsible for business, culture, music, and tourism, commented: “I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.”

Southend Airport released a statement confirming a serious incident involving a general aviation aircraft and stated they were working with local authorities. In a further update this evening, the airport announced that it will remain closed until further notice and that all flights have been cancelled.