Southend Airport plane crash: Police issue update as aircraft explodes in 'fireball'

Police have issued anon-the-scene update after a plane crash at Southend Airport.

Initial reports suggest the plane travelling to the Netherlands crashedduring take-off. Witnesses said they saw a "huge fireball" and black smoke after the incident at the airport at around 4pm this afternoon. It's not clear how many people were in the plane.Essex Police have called the crash a "serious incident" which they say they were alerted to shortly before 4pm. All emergency services are reportedly on the scene, with police warning that work would be "ongoing for several hours" as they urged people to avoid the area.

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The statement from Essex Police reads: "We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.

"We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours. We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.

"As a precaution due to their proximity to the incident, we are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. Updates will be issued as soon as is possible."

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Local councillor Matt Dent said on X: "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."

East of England Ambulance Service said several emergency vehicles rushed to the scene. They said in a statement: "Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance have been sent to Southend Airport responding to reports of an incident involving an airplane."

The police said they are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club "a precaution due to their proximity to the incident." The force will issue further updates as soon as possible.