‘Beloved’ nurse killed in London airport explosion was on first day of new job
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (31) was among the four people killed in the plane crash.
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (31).
Four people died in the plane crash at London Southend Airport on Sunday, the PA news agency understands (Joe Giddens/PA)
A Chilean-born nurse has been named as among the four people who were killed in a plane crash at London Southend Airport.
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz (31), a German citizen born in Chile, was reportedly on her first day as a flight nurse on board the small aircraft when it came down after take-off on Sunday afternoon.
A Dutch pilot and co-pilot, along with one other person, were also on the Beech B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, which specialises in medical evacuations.
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A friend of Ms Ortiz, called Anna Smith, told the BBC it had been her first day as a flight nurse, having previously worked as a nurse in the public sector.
“She was so excited for this new job,” she said.
She added: "She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that.
It is understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend, and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has started an investigation with inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data already dispatched to the crash site.
The airport remains closed.
