4 BRITONS KILLED IN SYDNEY SEAPLANE HORROR
FOUR Britons were killed when a seaplane crashed into a river while on a sight-seeing trip in Australia yesterday.
An 11-year-old boy was reportedly among those dead on board the single-engined plane when it nosedived into the water near Sydney.
All six people on board including the pilot were killed in the tragedy in the Hawkesbury River off Jerusalem Bay just north of the city.
The DHC-2 Beaver Seaplane was operated by sight-seeing tour operator Sydney Seaplanes.
The same aircraft flew the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister Pippa and her husband James Matthews to an exclusive restaurant on their honeymoon last May. It is understood the British tourists were on the same “wine and dine” flight to the Cottage Point Inn at lunchtime yesterday.
The plane was returning to Sydney when it crashed. An eyewitness in a boat filmed the last seconds of the flight as the pilot flew over wooded upland by the bay.
Moments later, the seaplane plunged into the water and sank rapidly.
Myles Baptiste described how he saw the plane flying towards him from about 1,500 feet away when it hit the water. He said: “It made a tight right-hand turn and as it actually turned around, the wings dipped and it nose-dived straight into the water.”
It is understood the plane had just taken off for the 20-minute flight back to Sydney when it crashed.
The five passengers are believed to have been on a £300-a-head package deal including a three-course lunch at the award-winning venue.
The trip, which lasts around four hours, is topped off by a flight over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
A police spokesman said: “For reasons that are not known at this stage, the plane has hit the water and it has subsequently sunk.”
As an air crash investigation was launched, there was speculation the pilot lost control after the plane clipped tree tops.
The crash, at about 3pm local and 4am GMT, was witnessed by several people, including children, who were enjoying a day out on the river.
An oil slick and wreckage marked the spot where the plane went down. Divers found it in 42ft of water and recovered the bodies. An operation was under way to bring the aircraft to the surface.
Several visiting celebrities have flown on the company’s sightseeing planes, including singers Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, billionaire Bill Gates and actor Cuba Gooding Jnr.
Sydney Seaplanes suspended flights until further notice yesterday.
Managing director Aaron Shaw said: “All at Sydney Seaplanes are deeply shocked by this incident and the resulting loss of life.
“We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the passengers and pilot who were tragically killed.
“We do not yet know the cause of the accident.
“We are dedicating our full resources in assisting the police and relevant authorities to understand the cause of the accident.”
Mr Shaw added: “Sydney Seaplanes has been operating since 2005, have undertaken thousands of flights in that period and have had an unblemished safety record until now. The safety of our passengers and staff is our absolute priority.
“Our seaplane pilots are some of the most experienced in the world.”
A Foreign Office spokeswoman in London said: “Officials from the British consulate are in contact with local authorities in relation to a sea plane accident near Sydney.
“We stand ready to provide consular assistance.”