Southend Pilots Waved to Kids Moments Before Tragic Crash
Only moments before the pilots' plane crashed in a devastating explosion minutes after taking off from Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, they waved at children spectators in attendance.
John Johnson, who was at the airport with his wife and family, recounted the poignant interaction. The minute before the plane taxied into position for departure, he explained, he and his family waved to the pilots and 'they all waved back at us'.
But just a matter of seconds later, disaster struck. Johnson described the terrifying chain that ensued: "It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it began to bank very hard to its left, and then within a few seconds after that occurred, it more or less flipped over and crashed just head-first into the ground," he said in an interview with the Associated Press.
The dramatic video posted on social media was of the aftermath, with huge flames and heavy black smoke billowing from the scene of the accident. The plane involved was said to be approximately 12 metres (39 feet) in length.
The accident happened around 3:58 p.m., initiating a wide-ranging emergency response. Consequently, London Southend Airport in Essex halted all activities. "All flights from and to the airport have been grounded while police, emergency services and air accident investigators attend the incident," the airport confirmed on X in a statement.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her concern and provided condolence messages to those affected. "My thoughts are with all those involved," she tweeted on X, while also warning the public against going near the area.
A little farther away at Rochford Hundred Golf Club, which adjoins the airport, individuals experienced the force of the explosion. James Philpott, a barman on the course, explained the terrifying moment: "I looked up and there was an enormous ball of fire at least 100 feet high. It was like I was in an oven," he said to The Independent, explaining he was in a small hut when the heat wave struck.
Southend Airport stated that it is liaising closely with the authorities and vowed to release more information as the inquiry unfolds.
