Plane Crash in Australia Leaves Three People Dead, Fourth Missing
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Three people have been killed and a fourth is believed dead after a plane crashed into the water at Bellarine Peninsula in the Australian province of Victoria.
Geelong local area commander Inspector Graham Banks said a fisherman observed what is believed to be a four-seater plane crash into the sea 2 kilometers off Collendina Beach at 12:30pm.
"Shortly thereafter he called police who attended, the water police attended and located what was a large area of wreckage and three deceased persons," Inspector Banks said.
Police said the families of the deceased had been notified, the ABC News reported.
Inspector Banks said the search for further wreckage and a fourth person would continue on Saturday at beach areas in and around Point Lonsdale.
"(We'll also have) search and rescue and water police at the crash site itself, and we're hoping to find the main fuselage of the plane," he said.
He said police were not expecting to find the fourth person alive.
Police said Queenscliff boat ramp will also be closed on Saturday while police search the area and assess any wreckage from the incident.
The plane is believed to have left from Moorabbin on Friday morning.
Two coastguard boats and two air ambulance helicopters were dispatched to the crash scene after the alarm was raised.
Three police boats, numerous SES personnel and a number of police were involved in the search.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
"At this stage we are seeking witnesses for the event, and anyone who did witness this event we would ask that they please call Crime Stoppers," Inspector Banks said.
He said if people found debris on the beach in the next few days to call triple-0 and leave it where it was.
Police said the coroner and ATSB had been notified and were expected to attend the scene.
