Fourth and final body removed from plane crash wreckage in Southend three days after crash

The fourth and final body has been removed from the wreckage of a plane crash in Southend, as the airport announced that it would be reopening to passengers on Thursday.

The medical plane crashed in Southend on Sunday, shortly after taking off from the city's airport. All four people on board the aircraft were killed in the crash.

Essex Police said that retrieving the bodies had been a "complex and delicate" operation.

Det Ch Supt Morgan Cronin said: "Our work is very much ongoing away from the site, and our investigation in parallel with the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) continues.

"The aircraft is being carefully dismantled now to move into the next phase of the investigation."

The four dead have yet to be officially identified, with experts using forensic methods such as DNA, fingerprints, and tattoos.

On Tuesday, a crowd funder was set up for the family of a Chilean nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, who was reportedly on her first day on the job when the plane went down.

According to a document that lists passengers, Ms Ortiz was on board along with two Dutch pilots, and a German doctor, believed to be Dr Matthias Eyl, 46.

The team had dropped off a patient in Southend for treatment in the UK.

They were due to return to base in the Netherlands before the crash at about 3.48pm.

Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, said in a statement on Monday: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."

London Southend Airport had been closed ever since the accident, but on Wednesday partially re-opened to a small number of passengers.

It said it would reopen fully on Thursday.

A spokesman said: “Four EasyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport [on Wednesday] evening. Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight.

"Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday.

"Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday. Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know