A Sydney seaplane company remained grounded yesterday after a new year’s eve crash which killed five British tourists.
The aircraft went down in Hawkesbury River, near the suburb of Cowan, at about 3.10pm local time on Sunday.
The cause is not yet known and investigators say it could be many months before they can piece together events.
Those who died were named as Richard Cousins, chief executive of catering company Compass, his fiancée, OK! Magazine art editor Emma Bowden, her 11-year-old daughter Heather, and his sons Edwards, 23, and William, 25. Pilot Gareth Morgan was also killed.
The family, from Tooting, in south-west London, were reportedly flying back to Sydney from a waterfront restaurant in Jerusalem Bay on new year’s eve.
The single-engine aircraft belonged to sightseeing flight company Sydney Seaplanes, which offers scenic flights over local tourist attractions.
Managing director Aaron Shaw said operations had been suspended until further notice.
The firm offers scenic flights from Rose Bay in and around Sydney Harbour and the city’s beaches, as well as a charter service.
“All at Sydney Seaplanes are deeply shocked by this incident and the resulting loss of life,” he said.
“We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the Bowden and Cousins families and the family of our pilot Gareth Morgan who were tragically killed.”
An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said it was investigating the crash that involved a DHC-2 Beaver Seaplane near Jerusalem Bay.
“It is understood that there was one pilot and five passengers on the aircraft on a return flight to Rose Bay, Sydney Harbour,” the spokesman said.
“The sequence of events leading up to the accident are not yet understood, however following the impact with the water, the aircraft is reported to have sunk rapidly.”