A frantic search is underway for three people who went missing after a seaplane crashed near Western Australia's popular tourist destination Rottnest Island with seven people on board.
The privately owned Cessna 208 Caravan 675 seaplane is believed to have struck a small limestone outcrop called Phillip Rock while taking off from Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth, at about 4pm local time on Tuesday.
It plunged into the water near Thomson Bay with seven on board, including the pilot.
Four people were pulled from the water, with two women and one man taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries, according to St John WA.
Three people remain unaccounted for, WA police said.
Rescue efforts led by police and emergency services crews, and involving civilian vessels, took place on Tuesday evening and recommenced early Wednesday.
Rottnest Island is about 20km off the coast from the WA capital, Perth. The island is a popular holiday spot, attracting thousands of visitors, and is home to the world-famous native quokkas.
The seaplane crashed near Thomson Bay, where Rottnest's ferry port is located. It appeared the plane had hit Phillip Rock at the entrance to Thomson Bay, WA police commissioner Col Blanch said on Tuesday evening.
"Water police and a number of civilian vessels provided immediate aid in an attempt to assist in the rescue," Blanch said.
Blanch said police had deployed "significant resources" to the scene but details of the crash remained uncertain.
The Cessna plane had been recently acquired by operator Swan River Seaplanes, which runs scenic flights around Perth and Rottnest Island.
Flight records show it has undergone a number of flights around the region since it was brought to Perth.
Greg Quin, who witnessed the plane go down, told ABC radio in Perth the plane crashed moments after taking off from the bay, reaching only about three metres above the water before suddenly descending.
"We were watching the sea plane take off and just as it was beginning to get off the water, it just tipped over and it crashed," he said.
"A lot of people in the water on their boats rushed to the scene and I think got there really, really quickly which was just amazing.
"But it very quickly got caught up in the wind and the current and began drifting [it] away."
On Wednesday morning Anthony Albanese said the crash was "terrible news".
"My heart goes out to all those involved," the prime minister said.