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Sydney seaplane: UK businessman and family named as victims | Sydney seaplane: UK businessman and family named as victims |
(35 minutes later) | |
The chief executive of catering giant Compass Group has died in a New Year's Eve seaplane crash near Sydney alongside his two sons, fiancée and her daughter, his firm has said. | |
Richard Cousins died after the plane plunged into a river 30 miles (50km) north of Sydney. | |
Mr Cousins, 58, died alongside Emma Bowden, 48, her 11-year-old daughter, and his sons, William, 25, and Edward, 23, police have said. | |
The Australian pilot was also killed. | The Australian pilot was also killed. |
Police in Australia have named the pilot as Gareth Morgan, 44. | Police in Australia have named the pilot as Gareth Morgan, 44. |
All six died after the seaplane - which belonged to a firm running sightseeing tours - came down in the Hawkesbury River, near the suburb of Cowan. | All six died after the seaplane - which belonged to a firm running sightseeing tours - came down in the Hawkesbury River, near the suburb of Cowan. |
The crash happened at about 15.10 local time (04.10 GMT) on Sunday, New South Wales Police said. | The crash happened at about 15.10 local time (04.10 GMT) on Sunday, New South Wales Police said. |
BBC correspondent Phil Mercer said the family were believed to be returning to Sydney from an exclusive waterfront restaurant in Jerusalem Bay on New Year's Eve when the plane crashed. | BBC correspondent Phil Mercer said the family were believed to be returning to Sydney from an exclusive waterfront restaurant in Jerusalem Bay on New Year's Eve when the plane crashed. |
Mr Cousins had been chief executive of the Surrey-based Compass Group - thought to be the largest food service company in the world - since 2006. | Mr Cousins had been chief executive of the Surrey-based Compass Group - thought to be the largest food service company in the world - since 2006. |
He was due to leave his role in March and retire from the group in September. | He was due to leave his role in March and retire from the group in September. |
'A tragic accident' | 'A tragic accident' |
Paul Walsh, Compass chairman, said the firm was "deeply shocked and saddened" by his death. | Paul Walsh, Compass chairman, said the firm was "deeply shocked and saddened" by his death. |
"The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richard's family and friends, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them," he said. | "The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richard's family and friends, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them," he said. |
"It has been a great privilege to know Richard personally and to work with him for the last few years. | "It has been a great privilege to know Richard personally and to work with him for the last few years. |
"Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsense style that transformed Compass into one of Britain's leading companies." | "Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsense style that transformed Compass into one of Britain's leading companies." |
Detective Superintendent Mark Hutchings, head of the New South Wales marine area command, said: "These people had come over on holiday to one of the most beautiful parts of the world and for this to happen at a place like this is just tragic," he told a press conference. | |
"We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those people that perished." | "We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of those people that perished." |
He added: "This can only be described as a tragic accident, and our hearts go out to them." | He added: "This can only be described as a tragic accident, and our hearts go out to them." |
Plane 'sunk rapidly' | Plane 'sunk rapidly' |
Eyewitnesses said the aircraft turned sharply to the right shortly after taking off, before crashing. | Eyewitnesses said the aircraft turned sharply to the right shortly after taking off, before crashing. |
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said the plane "sunk rapidly" after crashing into the river. | The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said the plane "sunk rapidly" after crashing into the river. |
Police divers were flown to the scene, and all six bodies were recovered on Sunday evening. | Police divers were flown to the scene, and all six bodies were recovered on Sunday evening. |
"The sequence of events leading up to the accident are not yet understood," the ATSB said. | "The sequence of events leading up to the accident are not yet understood," the ATSB said. |
The single-engine aircraft belonged to sightseeing flight company Sydney Seaplanes, which offers scenic flights over local tourist attractions. | The single-engine aircraft belonged to sightseeing flight company Sydney Seaplanes, which offers scenic flights over local tourist attractions. |
Aaron Shaw, managing director of Sydney Seaplanes, said: "We do not yet know the cause of the accident." | Aaron Shaw, managing director of Sydney Seaplanes, said: "We do not yet know the cause of the accident." |
He said everyone at the firm was "deeply shocked by this incident", adding: "We have suspended all operations until further notice." | He said everyone at the firm was "deeply shocked by this incident", adding: "We have suspended all operations until further notice." |
The UK Foreign Office has said consular officials are in contact with local authorities and staff are "ready to provide consular assistance". | The UK Foreign Office has said consular officials are in contact with local authorities and staff are "ready to provide consular assistance". |