A German citizen originally from Chile was among the four individuals who lost their lives when a medical transport aircraft crashed and exploded shortly after departing from London Southend Airport on the afternoon of July 13, 2025.

Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, aged 31, was on her inaugural day as a flight nurse on the Beech B200 Super King Air when the aircraft plummeted into the ground at around 3:48 p.m. The plane, operated by Zeusch Aviation, had just delivered a patient to the Essex airport and was en route back to its home base in Lelystad, Netherlands.

Essex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin confirmed that all four individuals on board perished in the accident. The deceased included Rojas Ortiz, two Dutch pilots, and a fourth individual whose nationality remains undisclosed. Cronin noted that it is believed all four victims were foreign nationals, and efforts are underway to officially confirm their identities.

Prior to this role, Rojas Ortiz worked as a nurse in the public sector before transitioning to the private medical field. Friends mentioned she married her partner in February 2024 and expressed her enthusiasm for her new role. Her friend, Anna Smith, told the BBC that Rojas Ortiz was the “kindest soul” and said, “She was so excited for this new job.”

The aircraft had a busy schedule on Sunday, traveling from Athens, Greece to Pula, Croatia, before arriving at Southend. Flight tracking data indicated the plane taxied and readied for takeoff, but veered off the runway during its ascent. According to Flightradar24, the plane took off at 3:48 p.m. and was headed for Lelystad when the crash happened.

John Johnson, an eyewitness at the airport with his family, described the events leading to the crash. His family waved at the pilots, who reciprocated before the aircraft turned to face the runway. Johnson noted that although the takeoff seemed normal, the plane began to bank heavily left just seconds after becoming airborne. It then inverted and crashed nose-first, resulting in a large fireball.

The twin-engine turboprop, capable of carrying approximately 12 passengers, was fitted with medical equipment for patient transport. Zeusch Aviation confirmed that its flight SUZ1 was involved in the accident and stated the company is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with the East of England Ambulance Service deploying four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars, and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service dispatched four crews and off-road vehicles to manage the incident.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has initiated a thorough investigation into the crash. Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior inspector with the AAIB, stated that eight inspectors with expertise in various fields were dispatched to the crash site. She emphasized that it is too early to speculate on the cause, but safety recommendations will be made if necessary to prevent future occurrences.

The Civil Aviation Authority established a significant air exclusion zone around the site to facilitate the investigation. London Southend Airport remained closed after the incident, with flights either canceled or rerouted. EasyJet, one of the primary airlines at the airport, confirmed that its remaining flights had been diverted or canceled.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences via social media, acknowledging the loss of four lives and commending the emergency responders. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated she was closely monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates.

Friends of Rojas Ortiz set up a GoFundMe page to support her family, referring to her as “beloved Feña” and expressing their grief. The fundraising aims to assist with expenses related to transfers, paperwork, travel, and a proper farewell. The page indicates plans to return her remains to Chile for burial beside her father.

The investigation involves collaboration among multiple agencies, including Essex Police, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the Royal Air Force, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and London Southend Airport. Authorities are interviewing numerous witnesses and analyzing video footage from those who observed the crash.