Rottnest Island seaplane crash

A tragedy unfolded off the coast of Rottnest Island in Western Australia on January 25, 2023, when a seaplane carrying seven people crashed into the ocean. The incident has left three dead, including the pilot, and four others injured.

The seaplane, operated by Swan River Seaplanes, was taking off from the island's main beach when it crashed shortly after 4 pm. Witnesses reported seeing the plane struggle to gain altitude before it nosedived into the water.

Emergency services, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and the Western Australian Police Force (WAPF), were quickly on the scene. Three people, including the pilot, were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining four were rescued from the water and taken to hospital for treatment.

The pilot has been identified as 34-year-old James Wong, a married father of two young children. The two passengers who died were a 65-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, believed to be European tourists.

The four survivors include two women, aged 23 and 29, and two men, aged 27 and 55. They are all in a stable condition in hospital.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but authorities are examining several possible factors, including mechanical failure, pilot error, or severe weather conditions.