A plane has been involved in a collision at Southend Airport, police said. Essex Police said they were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday to reports of a serious collision involving a 12-metre plane. Images posted on social media show a large fireball at the Essex airport before black smoke was spotted coming from the crash site. As a precaution because of their proximity to the incident, police said they are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. Police remain on the scene alongside fire and ambulance services, the force added. According to the airport’s website, four flights scheduled to take off on Sunday afternoon have been cancelled. Essex Fire Service said it was called to an incident involving a “light aircraft” at the airport at 3.58pm on Sunday. Five firefighter crews and two off-road vehicles initially attended the scene and the fire service has told people to avoid the area if possible. In a post on X, David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: “I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. “Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. “My thoughts are with everyone involved.” Southend City councillor Matt Dent added: “I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. “At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.”