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Four people pulled from water after private plane crashes off Rottnest Island in WA Three missing after private plane crashes off Rottnest Island in WA
(32 minutes later)
Police say they are still unsure how many people were on board the plane that crashed off the popular tourist island Four people were pulled from the water – three with serious injuries – but the search goes on for three other people on board
A private plane carrying an unknown number of people has crashed off Western Australia’s popular tourist site Rottnest Island, with rescue efforts still underway. Four people have been pulled from the water – but three are still missing – after a privately owned plane crashed into the sea off Western Australia’s popular tourist site Rottnest Island.
At least four people have been pulled from the water, police have said, but their condition has not been disclosed publicly. Rescue efforts – led by police and emergency services crews, but also involving civilian vessels - was still under way on Tuesday evening.
The sea-plane crashed near Rottnest’s main swimming area at about 4pm local time on Tuesday. Emergency services, including water police, as well as civilian vessels, attempted to rescue passengers and crew. Police confirmed the seaplane was carrying seven people, including the pilot. Three people were pulled from the water suffering serious injuries, a fourth was rescued uninjured.
But three people remained missing, several hours after the plane went down at 4pm local time.
The sea-plane crashed near Rottnest’s main swimming area prompting a rescue operation involving water police and civilian vessels.
“It appears the plane has hit Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thomson Bay,” WA police commissioner Col Blanch said on Tuesday evening.“It appears the plane has hit Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thomson Bay,” WA police commissioner Col Blanch said on Tuesday evening.
“Water police and a number of civilian vessels provided immediate aid in an attempt to assist in the rescue. This is very much an unfolding incident, and we are working to ascertain the details including how many people were on the plane.” “Water police and a number of civilian vessels provided immediate aid in an attempt to assist in the rescue. This is very much an unfolding incident, and we are working to ascertain the details.”
Blanch said police had deployed “significant resources” to the scene but details of the crash remained uncertain.Blanch said police had deployed “significant resources” to the scene but details of the crash remained uncertain.
“I can confirm that four people have been recovered from the water but their condition is currently unknown.
“There have been a number of members of the public who did not hesitate to assist and I thank them for their efforts.”“There have been a number of members of the public who did not hesitate to assist and I thank them for their efforts.”
Greg Quin told ABC radio in Perth the plane crashed moments after taking off from the bay, reaching only about three metres above the water before suddenly descending.
“We were watching the sea plane 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.”
Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, is located about 20 kilometres off the coast from the WA capital, Perth.Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, is located about 20 kilometres off the coast from the WA capital, Perth.
The island is a popular holiday spot in the summer months, attracting thousands of visitors.The island is a popular holiday spot in the summer months, attracting thousands of visitors.
The island, which is also home to the world-famous marsupial quokkas, has a small airport and various companies offer flights to and from the mainland.The island, which is also home to the world-famous marsupial quokkas, has a small airport and various companies offer flights to and from the mainland.
WA premier Roger Cook said “the images we are seeing of an emergency unfolding off Rottnest Island are deeply concerning”.
“My thoughts are with all those affected, and I want to thank our first responders who are attending to the crash site.”
Cook said he had been briefed on the unfolding situation and would provide updates as more information became available.
With Australian Associated Press.With Australian Associated Press.