Co-Pilot Floris Rhee Named as Third Victim of Southend Airport Crash
The third victim of the tragic Zeusch Aviation crash near Southend Airport has been named as 24-year-old co-pilot Floris Rhee.
Rhee, from the Netherlands, had only joined Zeusch Aviation last year, working out of the company’s base in Lelystad. He had recently completed his pilot training in Norway in 2023 and was described by friends as “a young man with a passion for flying and dreams of piloting for KLM one day.”
He was one of two pilots on board the Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft that crashed shortly after take-off from Southend Airport on Sunday, July 13, killing all four people on board.
Flying School Pays Tribute
In a heartfelt statement released on Thursday, the European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST) school in Utrecht confirmed Rhee was a former student:
“EPST is deeply saddened by the news that one of its former students has died in last Sunday’s Zeusch Aviation crash in London Southend.
Our thoughts go out to the family, the employees of Zeusch Aviation, and all friends and former classmates. We wish them strength during this incredibly difficult time.”
Memorial Service in the Netherlands
Friends and former colleagues of Rhee gathered earlier this week for a memorial service in Emmeloord, Netherlands. Attendees shared memories of the aspiring commercial pilot, describing him as “gentle, motivated, and deeply committed to aviation.”
Community Remembers the Victims
Locals wishing to lay floral tributes may do so at St Laurence and All Saints Church on Eastwoodbury Lane (SS2 6UN). A separate community memorial service will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Hall Road, Rochford (SS4 1NW) at 5pm on Friday, 18 July, to honour all four victims.
This tragedy continues to send shockwaves through both the aviation and local communities, with investigations into the cause of the crash being led by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
More tributes and updates will follow as the identities of all victims are confirmed.
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