A small plane crash at Southend Airport in London on July 13, 2025, claimed four lives, with eyewitnesses describing a horrifying fireball explosion. Investigations are underway to uncover the cause of the crash.
A tragic plane crash at Southend Airport, London, on July 13, 2025, claimed the lives of four people and left a community shaken. The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, went down shortly after takeoff, resulting in a terrifying fireball that was witnessed by nearby bystanders. There were no survivors.
The Crash: A Harrowing Witness Account
Ben Guppy, a 34-year-old man from Benfleet, England, was enjoying time with his wife Jess and their toddler at the Holiday Inn bar, just 500 meters from the runway. As they watched the planes take off, a small aircraft caught their attention. Ben described the horrifying moment as the plane, initially about 50 meters (164 feet) off the ground, suddenly veered sharply to the left.
“My daughter was pointing at it, and then it listed to the left,” Guppy recalled. “The left wing came down, and the right wing came up. I thought, ‘He’s keen to go left as soon as he takes off.’” But things took a dark turn as the plane banked hard left, almost like a handbrake turn. “The next thing you know, it corkscrewed upside down into the floor,” Guppy added. “The plane was only in the air for seconds. I looked at it, and the fireball went up, there was fire and smoke everywhere.”
Guppy said he was in disbelief, describing the scene as surreal. “I just looked around like, ‘Am I dreaming?’ I turned to my wife Jess, who had her hands over her face. She was pretty much in tears. She’s still upset about it all,” he added.
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Despite the chaos, Ben and his family were not in a position to help, as they were too far away. The family decided to leave the area for safety. “We decided to get our daughter out of there,” Guppy said. Afterward, Ben drove home, shaken by the tragedy and the sight of smoke in the air. “Everyone was pulled over at the side of the road watching the smoke. On my way back, I rang the police and told them what I’d seen.”
Nearby Reactions and Aftermath
The shocking event caused panic and confusion among those nearby. Video footage captured at the Rochford Hundred Golf Club, close to the crash site, showed a group of men running towards a thick cloud of black smoke, fearing that someone may have been caught in the flames.
Children at the Westcliff Rugby Club, located in the area, also witnessed the disaster while attending a girls’ football ceremony. Lauren Dawson, a mother at the club, recalled that the plane appeared to have trouble shortly after takeoff. “It looks like the pilot took off and then had a problem, and came back on himself to try and land back at the airport,” she said.
Authorities Respond to the Tragedy
Essex Police responded quickly to the crash, cordoning off the area and launching an investigation into what led to the disaster. The plane, operated by Zeusch Aviation, had been on a medivac trip from Athens, Greece, with a stop in Pula, Croatia, before heading to Lelystad, Netherlands. The crash occurred during its initial climb.
In response to the tragic event, Essex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation, noting that information would be shared when appropriate. “We will all need time,” he said, acknowledging the public’s desire for answers.
Meanwhile, the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, extended her condolences and assured the public that she was closely monitoring the situation. “My thoughts are with all those involved,” she said.
The Victims and Their Families
The crash claimed the lives of four individuals: two pilots, a doctor, and a nurse. Their identities have yet to be officially released as authorities continue to inform their families. As investigations unfold, many are left reflecting on the tragic loss of life, while others are hoping for answers as to why the plane crashed.
🇬🇧✈️ BIG UPDATE FROM SOUTHEND:
A man, John Johnson, with his children and wife, who witnessed the whole incident at the London Southend Airport, recalls the aircraft "crashing headfirst into the ground".
1️⃣ John and his family all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at… https://t.co/tRgLpApaUg pic.twitter.com/JP2SwduSzI
— SVS NEWS AGENCY (@svsnewsagency) July 13, 2025
🇬🇧✈️ UPDATE:
The twin-turboprop Beechcraft B200 Super King Air did not climb above 175 feet before crashing at London Southend Airport
— SOURCE: @flightradar24 https://t.co/t2926TwFBB pic.twitter.com/woLug0NI4l
— SVS NEWS AGENCY (@svsnewsagency) July 13, 2025
The flight had been en route to Lelystad, following a medivac mission, but tragically never made it. The public and the families of those involved will undoubtedly seek closure as the investigation into the cause of the crash continues.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking tragedy.
