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Plane crash on Perth's Swan river kills two during Australia Day celebrations Plane crash on Perth's Swan river kills two during Australia Day celebrations
(about 4 hours later)
A man and a woman died after their stunt plane stalled and nosedived into Perth’s Swan river during Australia Day celebrations as thousands of people looked on.A man and a woman died after their stunt plane stalled and nosedived into Perth’s Swan river during Australia Day celebrations as thousands of people looked on.
The pilot and passenger died when the Grumman G-73 “Mallard” flying boat broke up on impact after 5pm on Thursday in front of horrified families. Pilot Peter Lynch, 52, and his passenger died when the Grumman G-73 “Mallard” flying boat broke up on impact after 5pm on Thursday in front of horrified families.
“The plane seemed to be banking and then it looked like it was turning too sharply and just seemed to fall into the water,” witness Mark Annette Stuart said.“The plane seemed to be banking and then it looked like it was turning too sharply and just seemed to fall into the water,” witness Mark Annette Stuart said.
It is believed it was part of an airshow over the river ahead of Perth’s annual Skyworks fireworks display. The plane was part of an airshow over the river ahead of Perth’s annual Skyworks fireworks display, which was cancelled out of respect to the victims and to conserve the integrity of the site.
On Friday Laura Lynch posted a tribute on Facebook confirming the death of Peter Lynch, a father of three who is believed to have been working with iron ore miner Fortescue Metals in Perth.
“With great difficulty, I am unbearably saddened to confirm that my great friend and the father of my children passed after a tragic accident on the Swan river in Perth yesterday,” she wrote.
The plane remained in situ overnight guarded by water police but could be removed on Friday pending a decision by the Western Australian Department of Transport and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.The plane remained in situ overnight guarded by water police but could be removed on Friday pending a decision by the Western Australian Department of Transport and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
The crash was captured on video and posted to social media, along with hundreds of comments.The crash was captured on video and posted to social media, along with hundreds of comments.
A huge plume of water could be seen as the plane hit the surface nose first. Up to 10 pleasure craft on the river sped to the scene near Heirisson Island and tried in vain to rescue the occupants.A huge plume of water could be seen as the plane hit the surface nose first. Up to 10 pleasure craft on the river sped to the scene near Heirisson Island and tried in vain to rescue the occupants.
“His wings were pointing to the sky and to the water and we thought ‘this is not good’ then we saw it break into two pieces,” witness Craig Newill told the West Australian.“His wings were pointing to the sky and to the water and we thought ‘this is not good’ then we saw it break into two pieces,” witness Craig Newill told the West Australian.
Other witness reported a loud bang as the plane entered the water.Other witness reported a loud bang as the plane entered the water.
Western Australian police acting commissioner Stephen Brown told reporters it was fortunate the plane didn’t hit other people. “For reasons yet unknown, it’s entered the waterway, thankfully without injuring anyone else on the ground or any other people who are here at the event,” he said.Western Australian police acting commissioner Stephen Brown told reporters it was fortunate the plane didn’t hit other people. “For reasons yet unknown, it’s entered the waterway, thankfully without injuring anyone else on the ground or any other people who are here at the event,” he said.
The Perth lord mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, said the fireworks were cancelled out of respect for the dead and to “conserve the integrity of the [crash] site”.The Perth lord mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, said the fireworks were cancelled out of respect for the dead and to “conserve the integrity of the [crash] site”.
More than 300,000 people were expected to attend the Skyworks show. However Brown urged those gathered to head home.More than 300,000 people were expected to attend the Skyworks show. However Brown urged those gathered to head home.
Extra public transport services had been organised to help them on their way, he said. The WA opposition leader, Mark McGowan, said in a statement on Friday the crash had shaken the WA community.
“My heart goes out to the families and friends of the two people involved. They’re in all our thoughts and prayers today,” he said. “The decision to cancel the Skyworks yesterday was the right call given the tragic circumstances.”
On Friday the Great Eastern Fly In committee described Lynch’s death as a tragic accident.
“Peter was a man of vision and one with a passion for aviation and was well loved and respected in our close knit flying community,” it said. “Peter for many years attended the Evans Head Great Eastern Fly In, was the man with a vision for an Air Park at Evans Head, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Evans Head Aviation Museum.
“Our deepest and sincere condolences are expressed to Peter’s family and many friends who are grieving with his sad passing. Clear skies Peter, and may you rest in peace our dear friend and colleague.”