Associated Press
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Emergency services competed on Sunday at the scene of a small plane crash at London Southend Airport.
Details on where the plane was heading or how many people were on board were not immediately disclosed.
In a social media statement, the airport confirmed “serious incidents” that include what is known as common aviation aircraft.
He later said all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled until notification and that police, emergency services and air investigators are assessing the incident.
British media said it was a medical transport jet equipped with a medical system to transport patients, particularly the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air heading to the Netherlands.
Immediately after the crash, the images circulated on social media, showing plumes of fire and black smoke emanating from the crash site. The plane involved is said to be 12 meters (39 feet).
An eyewitness to John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, said the plane saw a “big fireball” after the plane “first crashed its head to the ground.”
“We took off and about 3-4 seconds after taking off, we started snatching the bank big to the left, and within a few seconds that we were more or less flipping and crashing straight to the ground,” he said. “There was a big fireball.”
Johnson said he and his family waved to the pilot, “They all turned to us,” before the plane was located for takeoff.
After the crash, Johnson said the airport firefighters responded immediately, with two fire trucks sent to the crash scene, followed by local police, ambulances and firefighters.
Essex police said they were warned just before 4pm local time by a “serious incident” at a relatively small airport about 45 miles (72km) east of the capital.
“We are currently working with all emergency services on the ground and that work will continue for several hours,” Essex police said.
David Burton Sampson, a local member of the council, urged people to stay and get emergency services to do their jobs.
“My idea is with everyone involved,” he said.
