Rottnest Island seaplane crash: Police forensics officers investigate wreckage as tourists continue to arrive

[Pelican Press 0]

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Rottnest Island seaplane ******: Police forensics officers investigate wreckage as tourists continue to arrive

Forensic officers have arrived on Rottnest Island to comb through evidence in the wake of a tragic sea plane ****** that killed the pilot and two passengers.

A 34-year-old male pilot, a 65-year-old woman, who was a Swiss tourist, and a 60-year-old man who was a Danish tourist were among the three dead after the ****** about 4pm Tuesday off the coast of the island in Thomson Bay.

Four people survived, with three seriously injured.

On Thursday morning, officers could be seen traversing through the settlement to the local police station and holding bags of equipment.

The team of investigators departed by police boat later in the morning.

As details of the triple fatality emerged, people continued to flock to the holiday on Wednesday, with ferries packed with visitors.

Camera IconTourists arrive on Rottnest Island on Wednesday. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West ***********

Besides stopping to observe the media scrum, most tourists departed from the jetty to enjoy the island as normal.

Witnesses who remained on the island told The West they were shocked to see the plane even attempt to fly in the windy conditions.

Mum-of-two Rikki Chapman was with her family on a boat just 200 metres from the ******.

Ms Chapman described the winds as “brutal”.

“The plane was going from left to right as it was trying to take off. I was very surprised they were trying to fly in that wind,” she said.

“We lost sight for about three minutes. It all happened very quickly

Camera IconThe seaplane off Rottnest Island shortly before the ******. Credit: Rikki Chapman

“Three boats raced off and we went upstairs and could see the plane had nosedived.”

Ms Chapman said she hoped there weren’t many people on board.

“It gives me goosebumps,” she said.

“We saw all the emergency services come. The news chopper was first, then the police chopper and then the rescue chopper.”

Ian Minchin was on the mooring in front of the jetty and was about to take his kids for a game of putt putt golf when he heard the plane take off and then saw the aftermath of the ******.

Camera IconPolice on the jetty as tourists arrive on the island. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West ***********

He saw one woman walk off a boat to an ambulance on the shore, with her arm in her sling.

“She had her kneecaps slashed and cuts on her face and was obviously in deep shock,” Mr Minchin said.

He then saw another ambulance race down and bring another woman, who was lying down, around the back of the vehicle.

“The search and rescue team worked late into the night, taking the wreckage in and moving it off the concrete ramp,” he said.

“The wreckage of the plane went from south of Phillip Rock to pretty far north.

“It was that windy that I said to the kids ‘he must be a good pilot taking off in this wind’.

“It was 2 to 2.5 metres seas and the wind was absolutely howling.”

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