A small plane has reportedly crashed at Southend Airport in Essex, with Essex Police confirming they are at the scene of a “serious incident” that occurred shortly before 4pm on Sunday.
Images posted online showed a large cloud of black smoke rising from the airport, with one witness telling local media they saw a “huge fireball” following the crash. Emergency services rushed to the scene as the incident unfolded.
Police have confirmed the collision involved one 12-metre aircraft and warned the public to avoid the area whilst emergency operations continue. The incident has prompted a major response from all emergency services.
Police Response
Essex Police issued a statement confirming their presence at the scene. We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane,” the force said.
The statement continued: “We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.
Police urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to work effectively. “We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues,” the statement added.
Witness Reports
Witnesses at the scene reported dramatic scenes as the incident unfolded. One witness told local media they observed a “huge fireball” at the airport.
Images circulating on social media platforms showed a large cloud of black smoke billowing from the airport area. The dramatic photographs illustrated the scale of the emergency response required.
The timing of the incident, shortly before 4pm on Sunday afternoon, meant the airport was likely to have been busy with both commercial and private aviation traffic.
Political Response
David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, quickly responded to news of the incident via social media. He urged the public to stay away from the area.
“I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work,” Burton-Sampson posted.
The MP added: “My thoughts are with everyone involved.” His swift response reflected the seriousness of the situation and the need for public cooperation.
Emergency Services Operation
All emergency services were reported to be working together at the scene in what police described as an operation that would continue “for several hours.” This indicates the complexity and scale of the response required.
The multi-agency response typical of such incidents would likely involve Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, and the East of England Ambulance Service. Airport fire and rescue teams would also be heavily involved.
The extended timeframe suggested by police for the emergency operation indicates investigators will need to secure and examine the scene thoroughly. Such procedures are standard in aviation incidents.
Airport Impact
The incident at Southend Airport would inevitably cause significant disruption to normal operations. When serious incidents occur at airports, standard procedure involves suspending operations for safety reasons.
Passengers scheduled to travel through Southend Airport on Sunday would likely face delays or cancellations. Airlines operating from the airport would need to implement contingency plans.
London Southend Airport serves as an important regional airport for Essex and East London, handling both scheduled commercial flights and private aviation traffic.
Investigation Expected
While police have not yet confirmed details about casualties or the cause of the incident, a full investigation will inevitably follow. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) typically leads such inquiries in the UK.
The description of a “collision” in the police statement raises questions about the exact nature of the incident. Aviation investigators will examine all aspects to determine what occurred.
The 12-metre measurement mentioned by police suggests a small to medium-sized aircraft was involved. This size would be consistent with various types of private or small commercial aircraft.
Public Safety Measures
The police request for the public to avoid the area reflects standard procedure during major incidents. Emergency services require clear access and space to operate effectively.
Local roads around the airport may have been closed or restricted to facilitate emergency vehicle access. Such measures are essential for public safety and operational efficiency.
The “serious incident” designation used by Essex Police indicates the gravity of the situation and the level of resources being deployed in response.
Ongoing Situation
As of Sunday evening, the situation remained active with emergency services continuing their work at the scene. Police indicated their presence would continue for several hours.
The extended nature of the operation suggests a complex incident requiring careful investigation and scene management. Aviation incidents require meticulous examination to ensure all evidence is properly documented.
Updates are expected as more information becomes available from official sources. The investigation into the cause and circumstances of the incident will likely take considerable time.
Community Impact
The incident has clearly impacted the local community, as evidenced by the MP’s immediate response and call for public cooperation. Southend Airport is an important facility for the region.
Local residents reported seeing the smoke cloud and hearing emergency vehicle sirens as the response unfolded. Such incidents inevitably cause concern within communities near airports.
The thoughts of officials and the wider community are with all those affected by this serious incident, as emergency services continue their vital work at the scene.
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