UK business boss and family named as Sydney seaplane crash victims
The boss of the world's largest catering company - Compass Group - and his family have been killed in a plane crash in Sydney.
Richard Cousins, 58, died alongside his two adult sons, his fiancee Emma Bowden and her 11-year-old daughter Heather. Mr Cousins sons were William, 25, and Edward, 23.
The seaplane's pilot also lost his life when it came down yesterday.
Police said the group were on holiday in Australia from the UK, and were on a return flight to Sydney's Rose Bay, close to Sydney Harbour, when the crash happened.
The plane came down off Jerusalem Bay near Cowan, 25 miles north of Sydney centre, at about 3.10pm (4.10am Irish time) on Sunday.
Mr Cousins, who was recently named as one of the world's best-performing CEOs by the Harvard Business Review, was due to stand down as chief executive of Compass in March.
Paul Walsh, the firm's chairman, said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news. The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richard's family and friends, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them.
"It has been a great privilege to know Richard personally and to work with him for the last few years.
"Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsense style that transformed Compass into one of Britain's leading companies."
William Cousins was head of press for Open Britain, which campaigns against a hard Brexit.
The group's chairman Roland Rudd said Mr Cousins was an "extraordinary young man" who would be "missed beyond words".
"All of us at Open Britain are devastated by the tragic loss of Will and his family," he said.
"Will was an extraordinary young man who was passionate about what he did; who took deep pride in his work; and came into the office every day with enthusiasm, energy and determination.
"Will saw his role at Open Britain as more than a job. For him, it was a cause akin to a crusade to stop Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal or a bad deal.
"Will was a great team player who loved the camaraderie of our young team and developed close relationships with all his colleagues. He will be missed beyond words."
James McGrory, executive director of the group, said: "The dreadful news about Will and his family has left all of us at Open Britain in shock and deep sorrow.
"Will was one of the most impressive people you could ever work with. His ability, dedication and passion were an inspiration to everyone around him. At such a young age, he had mastered skills that elude many for their entire careers.
"We have not just lost a special colleague but a wonderful friend. Will's razor-sharp wit, easy company and generosity will be missed even more than his huge brain, peerless prose and fearless ideas.
"Words cannot express how much I and the rest of the team at Open Britain will miss Will. We have lost a brilliant colleague and a true friend."
Detective Superintendent Mark Hutchings, head of the New South Wales marine area command, told a press conference the crash "can only be described as a tragic accident".
He added: "These people had come over on holiday to one of the most beautiful parts of the world and for this to happen at a place like this is just tragic."
The sixth person who died was named as Australian pilot Gareth Morgan, 44, who worked for tour company Sydney Seaplanes.
He was said to have been an experienced pilot.
Sydney Seaplanes, which has flown passengers including singer Ed Sheeran and Pippa Middleton and her husband James Matthews, said it was "deeply shocked" by the "tragic accident".
Aaron Shaw, chief executive of the firm, which has suspended all flights until further notice, described Mr Morgan as a "gentle guy".
He added: "We are all absolutely devastated at his loss. Ringing his parents today was the one of the worst calls I've had to make in my life.
"We just want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as we can."
The single-engine plane "sunk rapidly" after hitting Hawkesbury River, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said.
Police divers were flown to the scene, and all six bodies were recovered on Sunday evening.
It may take several days to recover the wreckage of the plane.
About 10 recreational boats were believed to be in the area at the time of the incident, and police have appealed for anyone who may have seen what happened to come forward.
An investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances leading up to the crash.
