WA seaplane crash : Two tourists and a pilot have been confirmed dead following a seaplane crash near Rottnest Island in Western Australia yesterday.
WA Premier Roger Cook announced today that the bodies of the three victims were recovered overnight from Thompson Bay.
The deceased have been identified as a 65-year-old female tourist from Switzerland, a 60-year-old male tourist from Denmark, and the 34-year-old pilot, a local man from Western Australia.
Seaplane Crash Near Rottnest Island Claims Three Lives
The privately owned sea plane, which arrived from NSW days earlier, was carrying one pilot and six passengers when it crashed into Thomson Bay at Rottnest Island shortly after taking off at about 4pm (7pm AEDT) yesterday.
Three lives were lost when a seaplane crashed moments after takeoff,” Cook said.
The tragedy unfolded in front of many tourists including families with children… It may have been distressing for those who witnessed the event.”
Victims Identified in Tragic Seaplane Crash
WA Police Force Commissioner Col Blanc confirmed that three couples were on board at the time of the crash.
He further confirmed that four people survived the crash: a 63-year-old man from Switzerland, a 58-year-old woman from Denmark, a 63-year-old man from Western Australia, and a 65-year-old man from Western Australia.
Of the seven individuals, we understand there were three couples and the pilot,” he said.
Three of the survivors are currently recovering in hospital… We are collaborating with them to gather their accounts of the crash.”
He noted that their injuries range from minor to a “very serious” hand injury.
An exclusion zone remains in effect at Thomson Bay as police work to remove debris from the water.
Significant portions of the aircraft are still submerged,” Commissioner Blanc stated.
He also noted that the victims’ bodies were recovered from a depth of eight meters underwater.
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Both Premier Cook and Commissioner Blanc expressed gratitude to the members of the public who assisted the surviving victims in escaping the wreckage.
Two separate investigations into the crash and the fatalities are currently being conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and WA Police.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has footage of the incident is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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