Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile has been named as one of the victims of the crash.

A Chilean-born nurse has been named as among the four people who were killed in a plane crash at London Southend Airport.

Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile, was reportedly on her first day as a flight nurse on board the small aircraft when it came down after take-off on Sunday afternoon.

A Dutch pilot and co-pilot, along with one other person, were also on the Beech B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, which specialises in medical evacuations.

A friend of Ms Ortiz, called Anna Smith, told the BBC it had been her first day as a flight nurse, having previously worked as a nurse in the public sector.

“She was so excited for this new job,” she said.

She added: “She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that.

It is understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend, and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has started an investigation with inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data already dispatched to the crash site.

The airport remains closed.

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Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 20:40

8 hours ago

20 EasyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights cancelled

There were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at London Southend Airport on Monday.

However, because the airport remains closed all flights have been cancelled.

EasyJet said the company’s remaining flights to and from the airport had been “diverted to alternative airports or are no longer able to operate.”

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 20:20

8 hours ago

What we know about the victims as four deaths confirmed

Four foreign nationals died after a 12-metre-long aircraft crashed “head first into the ground” shortly after take-off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon.
Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers.
It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile was one of four killed in the plane crash.
It’s been reported that it was Maria’s first day working aboard the plane.
However, the names of the four who died have not yet been officially released.

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 20:00

9 hours ago

‘Her charisma, love, humor, and kindness will remain alive in our memories’

The family of Chilean nurse María Fernanda Rojas Ortíz have shared a tribute following her death.

“It is with deep sorrow that we report the tragic passing of our beloved , who passed away today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a plane crash in London,” the statement shared by Chilean news site T13 reads.

The translated message added: “the news of her passing is immensely difficult to accept; she was a person who marked the passing of those of us who knew her.”

“Her charisma, love, humour, and kindness, which characterised her as a person, will remain alive in our memories and in our hearts forever,” they added.

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 19:35

9 hours ago

A fundraiser has been set up to raise money for Maria’s family

A Gofundme page has been set up to help raise cash for the family of Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz.

On the fundraiser set up by Julia Esteban it says translated from Spanish:

“It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of our beloved Feña, in a tragic accident that is still under investigation by the authorities.

“We know that the pain is immense and shared by the many people who loved her and supported her at different stages of her life.

“In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organize ourselves to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses—transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to give her a proper send-off.

“We’re starting this charity fundraiser among friends, colleagues, and those close to Feña.

“The idea is to raise funds that will then be donated directly to her family, so they can use them for whatever they deem most necessary.

“We will be fully transparent in our reporting of the contributions received and, if the family allows it, how the funds were used.

“Thank you so much for being here, for the love, for the support, and for everything each of you has done during these difficult days.

“We embrace everyone who loved us and we’ll stay in touch to support each other and stay organized.

“We love you Feña.”

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 19:20

9 hours ago

Labour MP has thanked emergency services for their work in ‘horrendous circumstances’

Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh David Sampson has thanked the emergency services for their work following the plane crash yesterday.

In a post on X he said: “I thank the emergency services for their response and support at yet another difficult incident taking place in such as short period of time in our city.

“We are incredibly grateful for the work they do in often horrendous circumstances.”

Rebeca Whittaker14 July 2025 19:10

9 hours ago

Nurses friends say she was the ‘kindest soul’

Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile was one of four killed in the plane crash at Southend Airport.

Ms Rojaz Ortiz’s friends have told the BBC that she was the “kindest soul” and that she “didn’t have a single bad bone in her body”.

They also said that “she was humble and chose a profession that reflected that”.

A Gofundme has also been set up to raise cash for Maria’s family.

Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (GoFundMe)

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 19:00

10 hours ago

Nurse killed in plane crash was on her first day, according to reports

Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, is thought to have been on the medical plane when it crashed at Southend Airport.

The Mirror reported that it was her first day working aboard the plane.

A friend told the Mirror: “It was her first day on the job. She was a hospital nurse but then took a job with a private medical firm, she didn’t tell anyone, but this was her first day in the job.”

The friend added her wife can barely speak because she is so distraught.

A Gofundme has also been set up to raise cash for Maria’s family.

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 18:40

10 hours ago

What we know about the crash victims

Four foreign nationals died after a 12-metre-long aircraft crashed “head first into the ground” shortly after take-off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon.
Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers.
It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.
Flight tracking data suggests the aircraft was a Beech B200 Super King Air, a US-built aircraft with a jet turbine.
According to the flight-tracking service Flightradar, the plane took off from Southend Airport at 3.48pm, and was bound for Lelystad, a city in the Netherlands.
Earlier on Sunday, it had flown from Athens to Pula airport in Croatia, before making the three-hour flight to London Southend.

Rebecca Whittaker14 July 2025 18:20

10 hours ago

Four foreign nationals die in Southend Airport plane crash

Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers.

It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.

Read more here:

Four foreign nationals die in Southend Airport plane crash

The medical transport plane bound for the Netherlands crashed at around 3.48pm on Sunday.