A woman who had just begun her new career as a flight nurse was among four people killed when a small plane crashed and exploded at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, the BBC has reported.
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen originally from Chile, was on her first day working with Dutch medical evacuation firm Zeusch Aviation when the twin-turboprop Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft crashed near the edge of the runway shortly after take-off.
The crash, which sent thick plumes of black, grey, and white smoke billowing into the sky, claimed the lives of both the Dutch pilot and co-pilot, as well as a fourth, yet unidentified individual. No survivors were reported.
Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed it is cooperating fully with the authorities as a full investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Eight inspectors from the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are now at the scene in Essex.
Friends of Ms Rojaz Ortiz, who had previously worked as a public sector nurse, described her as a deeply compassionate person. Anna Smith, a close friend, told the BBC that she had only recently married in February and was excited to begin her new role.
“She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that,” Smith said. “She was so excited for this new job – it was her first day.”
“She was just lovely. She was outgoing. She was fun. She wanted so much more with her life,” Smith added, fighting back tears.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help raise funds for repatriating Ms Rojaz Ortiz’s remains to Chile so she can be buried beside her father.
Essex Police said formal identification of all four victims was ongoing. “We’re committed to treating the deceased and their families with the utmost respect and dignity,” said Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his condolences in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday’s plane crash at Southend Airport,” he wrote. “My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.”
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has enforced a strict air exclusion zone around the crash site. All flights to and from Southend Airport on Monday have been cancelled or rerouted, with passengers advised to check with their airlines for updates.
As investigations continue, the aviation community is left mourning the loss of four lives, including a nurse who dedicated herself to saving others—only to lose her life on her very first day.
