Harrowing footage has emerged of a seaplane crashing into the sea near a popular tourist spot shortly after take-off, in front of shocked beachgoers.
A pilot and six passengers were on board when the privately owned Cessna 208 plunged into the water near Thompson Bay on Rottnest Island, 19 kilometers off the coast of Perth on Tuesday afternoon.
A major search and rescue operation continued well into the night for three people still missing.
Footage filmed by onlookers showed the plane operated by Swan River Seaplane taking a steep dive to the left before the wingtip hit the water at Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thompson Bay.
The plane then nose-dived into the ocean as terrified tourists on Rottnest Island watched and alerted authorities.
Other spectators reported the plane rocking back and forth moments before the left wing hit the water.
Two women in their 40s and a third passenger were airlifted to Perth hospitals with serious injuries. A fourth survivor was also injured.
It is understood some of the passengers were tourists on holiday from interstate, The West Australian reported.
Bathers filmed the terrifying moment a seaplane crashed into the ocean
The plane (pictured) plunged into the water near Thompson Bay off Rottnest Island at around 4pm on Tuesday.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook spent the night being briefed by authorities on the search and rescue efforts.
“The images we are seeing of an emergency unfolding off Rottnest Island are deeply worrying,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected and I want to thank our first responders who are attending the scene of the accident.”
It is still not known why the plane crashed.
Commissioner Blanch thanked the witnesses who helped in the rescue efforts.
“I want to assure the community that we have significant resources in place and we are doing everything we can,” Commissioner Blanch said.
Shocked witnesses described the scenes as chaotic.
‘I saw two people injured. A boy was limping. I needed support to get off the boat. Maybe he was about 30 years old,” said Elisa Meazzi. Perth now.
‘Then a woman of about 50 years old. Then one of about 20 years old.
Four people, including three who suffered serious injuries, were rescued from the water and airlifted to hospital after the small plane crash (pictured).
Witnesses noticed the plane moving from side to side before the left wing (in the center of the photo) hit the water.
Another witness heard the sounds of police and emergency services vehicles and saw water police surrounding the wreckage.
“We didn’t know what had happened because we were on the other side of the island, so we drove by and then we saw these helicopters and we thought there must have been a plane crash,” he said.
Telephone images from the scene showed the front half of the small seaplane submerged in the water.
Several parts of the plane were damaged, including the wings.
The plane, which is a Cessna 208 Caravan 675, is operated by Swan River Seaplanes.
It is understood the plane arrived in Western Australia on New Year’s Day from Sydney.
The plane can carry up to 14 passengers and the model was built and registered in 2016.
Four people were rescued from the water and three were airlifted to hospital (pictured)
Swan River Seaplanes director Kristy Bailey told the newspaper that the company is working with authorities to ensure the safety of those on board the plane.
“Our priority is our pilot and our passengers,” Ms. Bailey said.
Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, is a popular tourist spot that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The island, which is also home to the world-famous marsupial quokkas, has a small airport and several companies offer flights to and from the mainland.