News, Essex
Flights have been allowed to resume at London Southend Airport three days after a plane crash that killed four people.
The Essex facility was shut after nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot, and another person died there on Sunday.
Four easyJet flights were allowed to land at the airport on Wednesday, with normal operations expected to resume on Thursday.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday,” an airport spokesperson said.
Witnesses described seeing a “fireball” when the Beech B200 Super King Air crashed and exploded shortly before 16:00 BST.
The plane was operated by Zeusch Aviation, which specialises in medical evacuations and is based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands.
It had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia, before flying to Southend ahead of another journey to Lelystad Airport.
A multi-authority investigation was launched after the crash, involving the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Royal Air Force.
“Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air investigation team,” the airport spokesperson said.
They stressed it had been an “incredibly difficult time” for staff and passengers.
“The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support,” they added.
family handoutThe four people killed in the crash have not been formally named, however, the understands Ms Rojaz Ortiz was among the victims.
Her friend Anna Smith told the it was her first day as a flight nurse.
“She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that,” Ms Smith.
“She was so excited for this new job.”
Friends have set up a fundraising campaign to raise money to repatriate her remains to Chile, so she can be buried next to her father.
Ch Supt Morgan Cronin, from Essex Police, said the victims would be “treated with the utmost respect and dignity”.
Writing on X on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said their deaths were “terrible news”.
