Plane crash victims died from head injuries

Two pilots and a medic died of severe traumatic head injuries when their plane crashed after take-off, an inquest heard.

The Beechcraft BE20 crashed just before16:00 BST on 13 July at London Southend Airport.

Capt Danny Franken, 53, first officer Floris Rhee, 24, and flight nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, died at the scene.

A fourth victim - emergency paramedic Dr Mathias Eyl, 46 - was also killed, but Essex Coroner's Court was told his preliminary cause of death was still pending.

Senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said: "What happened in Southend was an absolute tragedy.

"My heart goes out to the family, friends and loved ones of all the victims of this terrible crash."

Witnesses described seeing a fireball when the plane, which was a medical evacuation aircraft, crashed to the ground.

DNA analysis and dental records had to be used to help identify the victims, and DNA was used as primary evidence to identify Dr Eyl.

Capt Franken and Mr Rhee were from the Netherlands and Marco Rietvelt, the managing director at flight operator Zeusch Aviation, said they were "highly-skilled" pilots and "popular members" of the team.

Dr Eyl worked for the German Red Cross and the charity said he was "not only a reliable doctor, but above all a special person".

Ms Rojaz Ortiz, who was born in Chile but moved to Germany, was the "kindest soul", according to friend Anna Smith.

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

The inquest was adjourned until 15 June next year.

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