Three people died and three were injured in a plane crash at Rottnest Island on Tuesday. Photo: ABC News/Elicia Kennedy
The pilot of a seaplane that plunged into the ocean at Rottnest Island shortly after take off, killing three people, has been identified as 34-year-old James Wong.
Wong, as well as a 65-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, died in the crash on Tuesday afternoon.
His employer, Swan River Seaplanes, said they were devastated by the loss of life and the injuries sustained to three other people in the crash.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of James, a talented and dedicated pilot who was an integral and deeply cherished member of our team," director Kristy Bailey said in a statement.
"We are currently assisting and working with all relevant authorities.
"We have paused our services during this time to focus on supporting our team and reaching out to the families of passengers to offer support."
Three other passengers were injured in the crash, which happened in the tourist island's popular Thomson Bay.
Earlier on Wednesday, WA police commissioner Col Blanch said two of the people had minor injuries, while one had "a very serious hand injury".
The bodies of the three victims were recovered from eight-metre deep water on Tuesday night.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has deployed investigators from its Perth, Brisbane and Canberra offices.
The ATSB is set to hold press conference on Rottnest Island in the late afternoon local time.
Thousands of people on Rottnest
Rottnest Island is a hive of activity during the summer school holidays.
Sam Jukic, 14, said he was fishing from a jetty on Tuesday afternoon when police rushed past him.
He said shortly after, a man on a boat pulled up with three injured people asking for help.
"A guy came down on his boat yelling we need help," he said.
"We thought he was going to run into the jetty and then I called the ambulance."
The teenager said the ambulance arrived shortly after.
- ABC