Southend

‘I went to Spain for paella and sangria and price will leave you gobsmacked’

Kelsie Stonya, from Southend-on-Sea, recently took on the ultimate ‘extreme day trip’ – travelling to Palma, Mallorca, and returning to the UK in the same day – all for just £143

A woman who jetted off to Spain for just a few hours – and still managed to squeeze in sightseeing, shopping, and sunbathing – says it cost her less than a night out in the UK.

Kelsie Stonya, from Southend-on-Sea, recently took on the ultimate “extreme day trip” – battling a storm while trying for a quick getaway. She hopped on a delayed plane to Palma, Mallorca, and returned to Britain in the same day – all for just £143.

The 25-year-old hit the beach, tucked into paella for one, and even ended up in the cockpit chatting to the pilot after a delayed flight. Her whirlwind day out proved a hit online too – with a TikTok video of her experience racking up 42,600 views from viewers loving the spontaneous adventure.

“It was so hot, so sunny – it was absolutely dreamy,” she told What’s The Jam. “The whole trip cost £143.08 including flights, transfers, food and everything – definitely cheaper than some nights out I’ve had before.

“By the end of it, with all the walking and being hot, I was so, so tired. I’d definitely do it again, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for no delayed flights next time.”

The communications manager started her day at the airport, but things didn’t exactly go to plan when she arrived to find every flight delayed due to Storm Amy battering parts of Europe. Thankfully, her flight did eventually take off.

Once she landed, Kelsie jumped on a 20-minute bus into Palma’s city centre where she admired the cathedral, wandered the streets, and hunted down a restaurant. After lunch, she strolled to the beach to soak up the sun, calling the weather “absolutely dreamy”, before hitting the shops.

By the end of the day, exhausted but happy, she splurged on an Uber back to the airport – putting her Spanish skills to the test with the driver.

The return leg didn’t go smoothly either, with the flight delayed by two hours – but things took a turn for the better when the friendly pilot invited passengers into the cockpit for a peek.

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Kelsie says she’d “absolutely do it again”, but is hoping for smoother skies next time.

She said: “I just had a really nice lunch and then headed over to the beach. I walked about 20 minutes and then sat down for a good hour. The thought of getting back on the bus to the airport was honestly upsetting me, so I just jumped in an Uber.”

Viewers were quick to praise Kelsie for making the most of her mini break. “That’s an impressive day Kels,” said one person.

Someone else said: “I do it all the time; great way to spend the day.”

Another viewer added: “I love doing these! So far I’ve done Belfast, Wroclaw, Alicante, Copenhagen and now have Barcelona booked for the end of this month.”

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Flights cancelled at Southend Airport after plane crash

Harriet Heywood

BBC News, Essex

Frazer Brooks Thick dark smoke is billowing into the blue sky from the incident - which cannot be seen in the image. Frazer Brooks

The East of England Ambulance Service and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were also at the scene

An aircraft has crashed at London Southend Airport, police have confirmed.

Essex Police said it was alerted to a 12-metre plane on fire at the site in Southend-on-Sea shortly before 16:00 BST on Sunday.

The East of England Ambulance Service said four crews were at the scene including a rapid response vehicle, a hazardous area response vehicle and a senior paramedic.

The Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, said on X: “My thoughts are with everyone involved.”

Contributed A photo of a screen in the airport with flight departures. There is one to Alicante, Faro and Palma de Mallorca. All three say cancelled next to their details. Contributed

Following the crash all flights from Southend Airport have been cancelled

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.

“We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.”

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the incident at 15:58 and has asked people to avoid the area if possible.

A spokesperson said: “Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off-road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended.

“We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.”

Nick Hull/BBC A field with a number of ambulances and police cars parked in it. A row of houses is in the distance. Nick Hull/BBC

BBC reporter Nick Hull said an air ambulance had left the scene just after 17:45

Police said, as a precaution, officers have evacuated the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club due to its proximity to the incident.

An eyewitnesses from Westcliff Rugby Club said a presentation event was happening at the time of the incident.

Matt Dent, Southend City Council’s cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said on X: “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.”

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Girl killed by falling tree in Southend park named as Leonna Ruka

The family of a seven-year-old girl who died after a tree collapsed on her in a park has described her as “a light in our lives”.

Leonna Ruka, from Dagenham in east London, was visiting Southend-on-Sea with family.

Emergency services were called to Chalkwell Park shortly before 15:00 BST on Saturday, but Leonna died in hospital.

A six-year-old girl, who was also under the tree and is Leonna’s cousin, remains critically ill in hospital.

In a statement Leonna’s family said: “It is with broken hearts and unimaginable pain that we share the devastating loss of our beloved daughter Leonna – our beautiful, bright, and loving little girl, taken from us far too soon.

“Leonna was more than just a child – she was a light in our lives and in the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting her.

“She was funny, kind, and full of life – a shining star who brought happiness wherever she went.

“From the moment she walked into a room, she would light it up.

“She was the kind of girl who gave love without asking for anything in return.

“She was perfect – too perfect for a world that can be so cruel and unfair.”

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