A Beechcraft B200 aircraft crashed soon after taking off from Southend Airport in Essex around 4:00 pm local time on Sunday, July 13. Photos shared on social media showed the plane engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
Authorities quickly declared the crash a “serious incident,” and multiple emergency services rushed to the scene.
Police Confirm Serious Aircraft Collision
Essex Police issued a statement confirming their presence at the crash site. “We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane,” the statement said. The police added that they were working closely with emergency teams at the site and expected the operation to continue for several hours. They also requested: “We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.”
Fire and Ambulance Crews Deployed
The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service sent four firefighting units, including off-road vehicles, to help manage the situation. Meanwhile, the East of England Ambulance Service dispatched a significant response team. This included:
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Four ambulances
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Four hazardous area response vehicles
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An air ambulance
Flight Was Bound for the Netherlands
According to reports, the plane was scheduled to fly to Lelystad in the Netherlands. However, no official information has been released yet about how many people were on board or their condition following the crash.
Eyewitness Describes Tragic Moments
An account named ESN Report posted on X (formerly Twitter), “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. Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.”
🚨🚨 This year continues to be bad for planes.
— Gautam Seth (@GautamS15540834) July 13, 2025
🇬🇧 PLANE CRASH AT LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT.
UK to Netherlands a small passenger plains crashes seconds after take-off, ALL DEAD.
It was a Beech B200 Super King Air craft that normally carries 12 passengers. It's unclear how many… pic.twitter.com/r7h4C09Ojq
Local MP Asks Public to Stay Away
David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, also shared a post 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.”
Unrelated Incident in Kentucky Mentioned
In a separate update, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed multiple injuries from a shooting at a church in the U.S. He stated that a trooper and others were being treated in a nearby hospital, though full details were not yet available.
He posted on social media, “Please pray for everyone affected by these senseless acts of violence, and let’s give thanks for the swift response by the Lexington Police Department and Kentucky State Police.”
The situation in Essex remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to secure the crash site and gather more information about the incident.