Southend plane crash: Golfers rush to distressing scene after huge explosion

A video shared on social media shows shocked golfers rushing to the scene where a small plane crashed in a fireball this afternoon.

Essex Police said they were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday to "reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane" at Southend Airport and that they remain on the scene of the "serious incident". Images posted on social media show a plume of fire and black smoke coming up from the crash site. The police said they were evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club "a precaution due to their proximity to the incident." The chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club later said the 250 people attending an event there didn't have to evacuate in the end as police "changed their mind."

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However, those who were at the golf club were collected from the course and taken back to the clubhouse where they remain now at a "safe distance", said bartender James Philpott. Now a video has emerged on social media which shows several golfers running towards the scene of the crash in a bid to help.

In the clip, a man can be heard saying: "F------g hell, look." He then adds: "Look at this." He then asks someone closer to the aircraft what has exploded. As he moves closer to the area where the smoke can be seen, a golf cart can be seen driving towards the aircraft.

Someone in the background then appears to say there is someone on the ground. Currently, the number of casualties hasn't been confirmed by the police and the cause of the crash isn't known.

WARNING: This video contains strong language.

Mr Philpott, who works at the golf club, which is next door to the airport, said he felt a "big heat wave" before looking up to a "massive fireball" in the sky. He told the BBC: "I was just basically in a hut like in the middle of the course and I didn't even see any plane go down or anything and I just felt like a big heat wave come through and I looked up and there was just a massive fireball basically 100 foot in the sky.

"It was more the heat really just kind of hit me as I was sitting there, just like, feel like I'm baking." He continued: "I think everyone was just quite shocked to be honest. People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything." Mr Philpott said he and others were collected from the course and taken back to the clubhouse where they remain now at a "safe distance" with the club closed.

In a statement, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm. Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended. We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners."

The East of England Ambulance Service said 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 the incident.According to the airport's website, four flights scheduled to take off on Sunday afternoon have been cancelled.

In a post on X, David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: "I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved."

Matt Dent, Southend City Council's cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said on X: "I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. 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."

Southend Airport said in a statement: "We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft. We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible." Essex Police said they remain on the scene alongside fire and ambulance services.