Southend Airport plane crash victims named together

Four people killed in a plane crash at London Southend Airport have been named together for the first time.

The medical evacuation aircraft fatally plummeted shortly after takeoff at about 16:00 BST on 13 July.

Capt Danny Franken, 53, first officer Floris Rhee, 24, Dr Mathias Eyl, 46, and Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, died at the scene, the BBC can now report.

Flight operator Zeusch Aviation said it was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the tragedy.

Witnesses described seeing a “fireball” when the Beech B200 Super King Air crashed in Essex.

The plane was returning to its base at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, having transported a patient into the UK for treatment.

Southend Airport was closed following the incident so investigations could be carried out, before reopening on 17 July.

Those inquiries have been ongoing, according to the Air Accident Investigation Branch.

Capt Franken and Mr Rhee were described as “highly-respected and cherished colleagues” by Zeusch Aviation, which is based at Lelystad Airport.

Managing director Marco Rietvelt said: “Danny and Floris were not only highly skilled pilots, but also greatly valued and popular members of our team.

“Their passion for flying was matched by their dedication to their colleagues and the important missions they carried out.”

In an additional statement given to Dutch media, Mr Franken’s family said his loss was “unbearable”.

The group were on their way back to Lelystad, having flown to Southend from the Greek capital Athens, via Pula in Croatia.

German national Dr Eyl worked as an emergency paramedic for his country’s Red Cross.

The charity said it had lost “not only a reliable doctor, but above all a special person”, adding his loss was “immeasurable”.

“With his warm, honest, and humorous nature, he has not only provided medical assistance, but shaped our community,” a statement read.

“He was a man who listened, tackled and encouraged.”

Also killed in the crash was Ms Rojaz Ortiz, who was on her first day as a flight nurse.

Born in Chile but raised in Germany, her friend said she was the “kindest soul”.

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