A tragic seaplane crash near Rottnest Island has claimed three lives, including a Swiss tourist, a Danish tourist, and the Perth-based pilot.
Crash Details Emerge
The seaplane crashed into the waters off Rottnest Island on Tuesday afternoon, sparking a major emergency response. Seven people, including the pilot, were onboard the Cessna 208 aircraft when it crashed into the ocean around 4 pm after reportedly hitting Phillip Rock near Thomson Bay’s entrance.
Four passengers were rescued from the water. Two remain in hospital with serious injuries, while one person was discharged. Tragically, three others were confirmed deceased.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook confirmed the identities of the victims.
“The bodies of the three deceased were recovered from the wreckage by Water Police divers last night,” Cook said.
The deceased included a 65-year-old Swiss woman, a 60-year-old Danish man, and a 34-year-old pilot from Perth.
Figure 1: Rottnest Island Seaplane Crash Claims Three Lives (Credit: ABC News)
Survivors’ Accounts of the Tragedy
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moments before the crash. Anna Connolly, who was on the beach, described the plane’s struggle during takeoff.
“It took ages to get off the water but then right towards the end it just really didn’t look good,” she said.
Bella Rawlings, also present, described the final moments:
“Once the wind got under the wing it picked it up and nose-dived it into the water.”
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Immediate Response and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services responded promptly. Water police divers, patrol boats, and civilian vessels rushed to the scene, helping recover four passengers. Despite efforts, the three remaining victims were recovered deceased later in the evening.
Premier Cook commended the civilians who assisted during the emergency.
“They put their own safety at risk to help complete strangers who were in desperate need,” he said.
“That took courage, that took bravery especially given what was a very distressing situation.”
Figure 2: Emergency Services quickly arrived for rescue operations (Credit: ABC News)
Swan River Seaplanes Involved
The seaplane involved in the Rottnest Island crash belonged to Swan River Seaplanes, a Perth-based tourism company.
Founded in 2016, Swan River Seaplanes is jointly owned by Kristy Bailey and Dean Kingi. The late Troy Thomas, a former co-founder, died in a helicopter crash in 2020, which also claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl.
The plane involved in the Rottnest Island seaplane crash was a recent acquisition. Photographer Kian Cartmell noted the aircraft’s arrival on social media.
“Built in 2016, this airframe is currently registered to the Whitsunday Air Services Pty and made its way over from the eastern states, arriving in Perth on New Year’s Day,” Cartmell said.
Following the tragedy, Cartmell updated the post, confirming it was the same plane involved in the accident.
“My hopes and prayers are with all six passengers and crew,” he said.
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Aviation Safety Investigations Underway
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the seaplane crash. Investigators from Perth, Brisbane, and Canberra will examine the crash site, pilot records, and the aircraft’s maintenance history.
“Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including site and wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.
He urged witnesses to provide any footage or photos to assist the investigation.
History of Safety Concerns
The Rottnest Island seaplane crash has drawn attention to previous incidents linked to Swan River Seaplanes and its co-founder, Troy Thomas.
Thomas died in a 2020 helicopter crash in Broome, which also killed 12-year-old Amber Millar. Less than a year earlier, Thomas was involved in another helicopter crash in July 2019, which severely injured his operations manager Bryce McGlashan and another passenger, Chelsea Cortese.
A doctor who treated Cortese reported serious safety lapses, including the absence of life jackets and a delay in seeking medical assistance. The doctor alleged Thomas prevented calling an ambulance and instead prioritized covering up the incident.
Following Thomas’ death, Cortese launched civil proceedings against his company, Avanova Pty Ltd.
Rottnest Island Community Shaken
The Rottnest Island community remains in shock following the tragedy. Police Commissioner Col Blanch described the operation as complex and dangerous but necessary to support the families of the victims.
“Very difficult and dangerous operation for those divers but important certainly for the families to bring the investigation to the next step,” he said.
Blanch also praised the efforts of local rescuers and first responders, acknowledging the bravery shown during the Rottnest Island seaplane crash rescue.
Ongoing Safety Review
Premier Roger Cook confirmed that federal aviation authorities would oversee the safety review following the Rottnest Island plane crash.
“We obviously have a role to play as managers of the Rottnest Island Authority and via the Department of Transport and the Swan River Trust in relation to this particular aviation activity, but we are advised by the federal authorities in relation to any aviation logistical issues,” Cook said.
An exclusion zone remains in place around the crash site as investigators continue their work. The Rottnest Island seaplane crash has raised fresh concerns about aviation safety and the oversight of scenic flight operations in Western Australia.
