Rottnest Island seaplane crash: Footage captures moment aircraft crashes into ocean shortly after take-off

Confronting video footage has emerged of the moment a seaplane crashed off Rottnest Island shortly after take-off.

Vision of the crash appeared to show the plane, shortly after take-off, dipping sharply to the left. The wingtip hits the water, sending the aircraft nose-first into the bay in front of horrified onlookers on the beach.

Police have confirmed three people have died in the crash.

Four others were rescued, including three people who have been airlifted to hospital with injuries of “varying levels” of seriousness.

Emergency services were called to the incident about 4pm on Tuesday.