A GERMAN nurse who died alongside three others in the Southend Airport plane crash has been pictured.

Touching tributes have been pouring in for Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, with her heartbroken loved ones saying she was on her first day of work when the doomed aircraft plummeted to the ground.
Woman holding a small black dog in a snowy forest.
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Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, has been named as a victim of the deadly plane crash in Southend

Small plane crash-landing in a large fireball at an airport.
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The Beech B200 was set to travel to the NetherlandsCredit: UKNIP

Aerial view of a burned-out airplane at London Southend Airport.
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The remains of the plane following the crashCredit:
The small medical aircraft corkscrewed in the air shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday before it nosedived and erupted into a huge fireball upon impact.

A Dutch pilot and co-pilot were also killed with the identity of the fourth victim yet to be announced other than him being a male.

The family of Maria today confirmed that the German citizen born in Chile was one of the passengers on the plane.

It was also revealed she was on her first day as a “flight nurse”, according to her close friend.

Anna Smith told the BBC that Maria was the “kindest soul” who only got married back in February 2024.

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

“She was so excited for this new job – it was her first day.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to honour Maria with her loved ones now trying to bring her body back to Chile.

Her family hope she can be buried next to her late dad.

In a heartbreaking joint statement the Ortiz family said: “It is with deep sorrow that we report the unfortunate passing of our beloved Maria.

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“She will remain alive in our memories and in our hearts forever.”

The UK was rocked by the tragic air disaster over the weekend after footage showed the Beech B200 Super King Air crashing.

The plane was heading for Lelystad in the Netherlands, with an estimated departure time of 3.45pm.

A Dutch foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the nationality of both the pilot and the co-pilot as from the Netherlands.

They said they were in touch with the families and were “offering consular support”.

Their names have not yet been released as police are working to confirm their identities.

The plane was operated by the Netherlands-based Zeusch Aviation.

Large plume of black smoke rising from a plane crash at an airport.
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A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after a small plane crashCredit: Reuters

Beech B200 Super King taking off.
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Video footage showed the plane taking off moments before the fatal disasterCredit: SWNS
Essex Police chief superintendent Morgan Cronin said a press briefing this afternoon: “Yesterday afternoon, an aircraft which had landed here earlier in the day took off bound for the Netherlands.

“Shortly after take-off, it got into difficulty and crashed within the airport boundary. Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died.

“We are working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals.

“Our thoughts are with the families and their colleagues at this tragic time, I can promise that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity.”

It comes as the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed a probe has been launched into the incident.

The government body added: “A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data are at the accident site gathering evidence.”

Dramatic footage shows golfers at nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club running towards the burning wreckage.

A statement last night from the airport said: “All flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident.

“We ask that any passengers due to travel tomorrow (Monday) via London Southend Airport contact their airline for information and advice.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by today’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption.”

Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to the four victims today, writing on X: “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.”

Large plume of black smoke rising from Southend Airport after a small plane crash.
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Locals reported seeing a huge plume of smoke following the crashCredit: UKNIP

People running away from large plume of smoke rising in the distance.
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Video footage shows golfers running towards the incident which happened just before 4pmCredit: x

Passengers walking outside London Southend Airport.
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Passengers outside the terminal building at Southend Airport todayCredit: PA
It comes after reports of the pilots having “waved to kids” at the airport moments before the horror crash on Sunday.

The medical transport jet burst into flames after crashing shortly after taking off from the strip in Essex.

It was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients, although it is unclear whether a patient was onboard.

Witnesses described seeing a “huge fireball” just before 4pm, with Essex County Fire and Rescue called to the incident at 3.58pm.

The twin-engined turboprop plane can carry around 12 people.

John Johnson, who witnessed the crash with his family, said: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us.

“The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway.

“It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more of less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground.

“There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.

“All the kids saw it and the families saw it. I phoned 999, reported it.”

He added: “I’d say that we’re pretty shaken up.

“I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.”

A bartender at the nearby golf club, which was evacuated following the crash, said he felt “a big heat wave” before seeing a “massive fireball” in the sky.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: “In these very early stages it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex.

“Please help us keep our emergency lines open by using specific channels if you’re contacting us about this incident.

“We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why.”

Beech B200 Super King Air G-PCOP on tarmac.
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The Beech B200 Super King Air can carry up to 12 passengers

Emergency services vehicle at an airport.
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Emergency services rushed to the sceneCredit: Getty