Rottnest Island seaplane crash: frantic search underway for three missing people
Share:
Privately owned Cessna 208 Caravan 675 plane was carrying seven people when it crashed off Western Australia coast. A frantic search is under way for three people who went missing 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.
Four people were pulled from the water, with two women and one man taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries, according to St John WA. Three people remain unaccounted for, WA police said. Rescue efforts led by police and emergency services crews, and involving civilian vessels, took place on Tuesday evening and recommenced early Wednesday.
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. The seaplane crashed near Thomson Bay, where Rottnest’s ferry port is located. It appeared the plane had hit Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thomson Bay, WA police commissioner Col Blanch said on Tuesday evening.
