Police fear four dead in Vic plane crash

At least three people were killed when a small plane crashed into water south of Melbourne in Australia, say police.

A number of people are reportedly dead after a plane plummeted into water at Barwon Heads in Victoria.

A fisherman witnessed the plane, which took off from Moorabbin Airport, crash into the water about 12.30pm on Friday, where it remains submerged about 30m below the water, police say.

“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.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, but weather conditions were reported to be poor. Victoria Police later confirmed the number was three, although there were reports that a further passenger was still missing.

About 10 State Emergency Service volunteers were at the site of the crash, the report added. Aircraft tracker websites show a search helicopter appearing to circle above the area where the plane was said to have gone down. The main part of the plane has sunk about 30 metres into the ocean.

Ambulance Victoria said two air ambulances have been dispatched to assist.

“We both commented to each other how low it was coming out of the rain”, Mr Lewry said.

There were no requests for emergency landing at two of the airports closest to the crash, at Torquay and Barwon Heads.