Three people have died after a seaplane crashed near Western Australia’s popular tourist destination Rottnest Island with seven people on board.
The privately owned Cessna 208 Caravan 675 seaplane is believed to have struck a small limestone outcrop called Phillip Rock while taking off from Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, at about 4pm local time on Tuesday.
It plunged into the water near Thomson Bay with seven on board, including the pilot. The operator, Swan River Seaplanes, has ceased all operations following the crash, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said on Wednesday afternoon.
Four survivors were pulled from the water on Tuesday. A 63-year-old Swiss man, a 63-year-old WA man and a 65-year-old WA woman were airlifted to Fiona Stanley hospital with varying levels of injury, WA police said on Wednesday. A 58-year-old Danish woman was also airlifted to Royal Perth hospital for medical treatment.
The WA police commissioner, Col Blanch, said on Wednesday the injuries ranged from minor injuries to a “very serious hand injury”.
Rescue efforts led by police and emergency services crews, and involving civilian vessels, took place on Tuesday evening.
The bodies of the three deceased were recovered from the wreckage by water police divers on Tuesday night, the premier, Roger Cook, confirmed on Wednesday morning local time.
The victims include the pilot, who was a 34-year-old man who lived in Perth, a 65-year-old woman believed to be a Swiss tourist and a 60-year-old-man believed to be a tourist from Denmark.
Blanch said it had been a “difficult and dangerous operation” for the police divers, who had descended about 8 metres deep to recover the bodies.
The seven passengers on board included three couples.
Rottnest Island is about 20km off the coast from the WA capital, Perth. The island is a popular holiday spot, attracting thousands of visitors, and is home to the world-famous native quokkas.
“My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims. This is no doubt very difficult for everyone involved,” Cook said.
“The tragedy unfolded in front of many tourists, including families with children who are on the island enjoying the summer holidays, and may have been distressing for those who witnessed the event,” he said.
“For something so tragic to happen in front of so many people, at a place that provides so much joy, especially at this time of year, is deeply upsetting.”
The seaplane crashed near Thomson Bay, where Rottnest’s ferry port is located.
Cook said early reports that the seaplane had hit Phillip Rock at the entrance of Thomson Bay are “not yet confirmed” and will form part of the investigation.
“What caused the crash remains unknown,” he said. WA police are assisting the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in their investigation.
Large parts of the aircraft are still submerged, Blanch said. A 200-metre exclusion zone is in place as the wreckage is removed from the water.
Police received several 000 calls from the public at 4pm on Tuesday in relation to the seaplane crash, Blanch said.
A multi-agency response was executed, including water police, the Rottnest Island Nursing Post, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and St John Ambulance.
“Importantly, members of the public were already present, immediately jumped into action [to] save lives,” Blanch said.
“I do want to personally, on behalf of WA police and emergency services, thank those who were present for helping fellow [Western Australians] and others in need.”
The Cessna plane had been recently acquired by operator Swan River Seaplanes, which runs scenic flights around Perth and Rottnest Island.
The operator has an air operator’s certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
CASA are working with them to gather information, CASA said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“Our deepest condolences go out to all involved in this tragic accident and we stand ready to assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in its investigation,” CASA said.
Flight records show it has undergone a number of flights around the region since it was brought to Perth.
Greg Quin, who witnessed the plane go down, told ABC radio in Perth the plane crashed moments after taking off from the bay, reaching only about 3 metres above the water before suddenly descending.
“We were watching the seaplane take off and just as it was beginning to get off the water, it just tipped over and it crashed,” he said.
“A lot of people in the water on their boats rushed to the scene and I think got there really, really quickly which was just amazing.
“But it very quickly got caught up in the wind and the current and began drifting [it] away.”
On Wednesday morning Anthony Albanese said the crash was “terrible news”.
“My heart goes out to all those involved,” the prime minister said.
