On July 13, 2025, a small Beechcraft B200 Super King Air crashed shortly after takeoff from Southend Airport, London, claiming the lives of four people—two pilots, a doctor, and a nurse. The aircraft, operated by Zeusch Aviation, had just completed a medivac trip and was en route to Lelystad, Netherlands. Witnesses described a horrifying scene as the plane struggled to ascend, veered sharply, and ultimately plummeted to the ground in a fiery explosion.

Among the witnesses was Ben Guppy, who was watching planes from the fifth floor of a nearby Holiday Inn with his wife Jess and their toddler. Ben recounted how the plane banked aggressively left before “corkscrewing upside down into the floor,” creating a massive fireball. His daughter had been pointing at the plane moments before the crash, but fortunately looked away in time. The event left Jess in tears and the entire family shaken.

Emergency services responded swiftly, cordoning off the area while a major investigation was launched. Bystanders, including men from a nearby golf course and children from a football ceremony, were left stunned by the smoke and chaos. Some brave witnesses ran toward the flames, fearing others might have been caught in the blast. Videos from the scene showed plumes of smoke visible across the region, creating widespread panic and confusion.

Officials, including Essex Police and the Secretary of State for Transport, expressed condolences and emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation. A public hotline and portal were set up for those affected. Meanwhile, Southend Airport faced disruptions as flights were delayed or canceled. Though the cause of the crash remains under review, the tragedy has left a deep impact on the local community and serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of flight.