A tragic plane crash at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon claimed the lives of four people, including 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz. A German citizen born in Chile, Maria was on her first day as a flight nurse when the aircraft she was aboard crashed shortly after takeoff, erupting into a massive fireball.
Operated by Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch company specializing in medical evacuation flights, the Beech B200 Super King Air had just completed a patient transfer before it was set to return to its base in the Netherlands. Maria’s death has sent shockwaves through those who knew her, and a global community now mourns a woman whose life embodied compassion and service.
A Life Dedicated to Care and Compassion
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz had always been passionate about helping others. Born in Chile and later becoming a German citizen, she had served as a nurse in the public health sector for several years before transitioning to aeromedical care. Friends describe her as humble, loving, and deeply committed to her profession. Her decision to become a flight nurse wasn’t just a career shift; it was a continuation of her life’s mission to serve those in need, even in the most challenging of environments.
Anna Smith, a close friend of Maria, told the BBC that Maria had just gotten married in February 2024 and was overjoyed about this new opportunity. “She was so excited for this new job – it was her first day,” Smith said, holding back tears. “She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that.”
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According to Smith, Maria had always been someone who looked for deeper meaning in her work, someone who felt that caring for others was not just a duty but a calling. In her short life, Maria touched many with her kindness and empathy.
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Her death is not just a personal loss to those who knew her, but a broader tragedy that highlights the sacrifices made by those in the medical evacuation field. Her first day on the job, which was supposed to mark a new chapter in her life, ended in a disaster that has left loved ones grappling with heartbreak and disbelief.
The Crash That Claimed Four Lives
The fatal crash occurred on Sunday afternoon at London Southend Airport. Witnesses reported seeing the small aircraft take off before suddenly banking heavily to the left, in what appeared to be an attempt to regain control. Within seconds, the plane flipped, crashed, and exploded, sending thick plumes of black and grey smoke into the air. Firefighters rushed to the scene, trying to control the blaze and secure the area.
The Beech B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, was a medical evacuation aircraft. It had just dropped off a patient in Southend and was heading back to its home base at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands. In addition to Maria, a Dutch pilot, co-pilot, and another unidentified individual were onboard. All four were killed in the crash. The identities of the other victims have not yet been officially released.
John Johnson, a local resident who witnessed the crash while plane-watching with his family, recounted the horrifying moment. “You could see the pilots smiling and we all kind of smiled back,” he said. “It took off in probably three or four seconds. It started to bank heavily to its left. The aircraft almost inverted and hit the ground. There was a huge fireball.” His account paints a chilling picture of the final moments before the tragedy.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a full investigation into the crash. Eight inspectors specializing in aircraft operations, engineering, human factors, and recorded flight data have been dispatched to the site. “It’s too early to speculate on what caused this tragic accident,” said senior inspector Lisa Fitzsimons during a press conference. She emphasized that if safety lessons can be learned from the crash, the agency will make recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
Aftermath and Global Mourning
In the wake of the crash, London Southend Airport was closed, and all flights were rerouted. A significant air exclusion zone was imposed around the crash site. Airport staff, rescue workers, and police have been working tirelessly, not just in recovery efforts but also in maintaining dignity and respect for the victims. “Our thoughts are with those affected by Sunday’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption,” a spokesperson for the airport said.
Essex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin assured the public that the victims would be “treated with the utmost respect and dignity.” As the bodies of the deceased are identified and arrangements are made, their families are being supported in the most sensitive ways possible.
Maria’s friends have created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for repatriating her remains to Chile, so she can be buried next to her late father. “She was just lovely. She was outgoing. She was fun. She wanted so much more with her life,” said Anna Smith. “Everyone is just struggling at the moment. We can’t believe this is real.” The campaign has already seen donations from across the globe, with heartfelt messages from strangers moved by Maria’s story.
At Zeusch Aviation’s headquarters in the Netherlands, the mood is somber. BBC reporter Sofia Bettiza described the scene: “We just saw airport security staff lowering the Dutch flag to half-mast at the entrance of the airport.” The privately owned company, which operates 14 aircraft, is deeply shaken. Many of their staff reportedly knew the victims, especially in such a close-knit aviation community.
Tributes have come in from high-ranking officials as well. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday’s plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.”
Though the cause of the crash remains undetermined, one thing is clear: Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz died while trying to help others. Her journey as a flight nurse may have lasted only a single day, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those she loved, those she cared for, and those who hear her story.
As investigators sift through wreckage and data, trying to piece together what went wrong, the world remembers a nurse who believed in healing, who embraced her calling with joy and hope. Her tragic end has cast a long shadow, but it has also reminded us of the light she brought into the lives of others.