Britons among six dead after plane crashes near Sydney
Jonathan Pearlman in Sydney and Robert Mendick CHIEF REPORTER FOUR Britons and an 11-year-old boy are believed to be among six people killed when a seaplane plunged into a river on a New Year’s Eve scenic flight north of Sydney.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred as the party returned to the city after lunch at an exclusive waterside restaurant.
Conditions for yesterday’s flight were cloudy and windy and, according to Channel Seven, the plane, which was at least 50 years old, may have clipped trees before crashing.
Six bodies, including that of the pilot, were recovered by police divers at an inlet of the Hawkesbury River at 3.10pm local time.
Myles Baptiste, a witness, told 9News: “It made a tight right-hand turn and, as it turned, the wings dipped and it nosedived straight into the water.” Foreign Office sources confirmed last night that British citizens had been on-board.
The group were in a single-engine DHC-2 Beaver aircraft operated by Sydney Seaplanes, which offers round trips to Cottage Point Inn for £310 per person, which includes the meal.
Pippa and James Matthews took the same flight during their honeymoon in June.
New South Wales police have not publicly named the victims and were waiting to ensure that next of kin had been notified. The plane is about 40ft below the surface and is being kept under guard until it can be recovered today.
“We don’t know why the plane crashed,” said Acting Superintendent Michael Gorman.
“It’s early in the investigation, we are working with the plane company and getting investigators to look at how the plane crashed into the water. Forensic officers are on their way to confirm the identification of those on board, to let their next of kin know.”
The restaurant, about 20 miles north of Sydney, is in a suburb of only 113 people and is difficult to reach by road.
The Foreign Office said officials from the British Consulate were in contact with local authorities and it was “ready to provide consular assistance”.
Sydney Seaplanes said it did not know the cause of the crash but was assisting authorities. It has suspended all flights until further notice.
“All at Sydney Seaplanes are deeply shocked by this incident and the resulting loss of life,” it said. “We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the passengers and pilot who were tragically killed.”
The plane crashed near the Jerusalem Bay inlet, about two miles from the restaurant.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it was investigating “the ditching of a single-engine seaplane” and was sending three investigators to the site from Canberra.
Police said they were hoping that passengers aboard some of the boats in the area can provide information.
“We would be very interested to see any footage people may have taken of the plane prior to or at the time it crashed into the water,” said Superintendent Gorman.
‘It made a tight righthand turn and as it turned, the wings dipped and it nosedived straight into the water’