The floatplane aircraft carrying seven people, including some tourists, took off from the water and briefly became airborne before it crashed off Thomson Bay about 4 pm (7 pm AEDT) on Tuesday.
“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.
Pilot James Wong, 34, and two passengers, a 65-year-old woman from Switzerland and a 60-year-old man from Denmark, were killed. “We are equally devastated by those injured and the loss of the two passengers on board, and extend our deepest condolences to their families and all who are grieving this unimaginable tragedy.”
The government has also promised to provide assistance.
“If any lessons can be learned from it then there certainly will be and they will be put in place by the government in the form of any new regulations,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“If the opportunity presents itself and [the survivors] want to have a conversation with the government about their experience obviously we’d be open to that,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“They’ve been through a harrowing ordeal. They are tourists to WA, they are part of our family and our hearts go out to them.”
