A health worker who died in a light plane crash in WA's far north on Saturday is being remembered as a hard worker with a "humble soul".
The man, in his 50s, was a nurse employed by the WA Country Health Service, and a passenger aboard the plane when it crashed during an attempted landing near East Kimberley Regional Airport on Saturday morning.
It's understood the plane was on fire and producing thick black smoke when volunteer firefighters, St John Ambulance and police rushed to the scene before 9am.
The 29-year-old pilot, employed by regional airline Aviair, suffered serious injuries in the crash.
He remains in a stable but serious condition in Royal Darwin Hospital where he is being treated for burns and other injuries.
A friend of the deceased took to social media to pay tribute to his hard work in the WA community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other friends have described the man as a "very humble" and "great human with a beautiful soul" who was a leader in his community.
Colleagues and friends 'devastated'
In a statement, WACHS Kimberley acting regional director Robert Pulsford said staff were devastated to have lost a colleague and friend.
He said the department would provide support the victim's family and friends.
"This person and their family are front of mind for our entire organisation," he said.
He also acknowledged the efforts of first responders and the broader Kununurra community.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will send a team of transport safety investigators from Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney to assess the accident site and will prepare a preliminary report within six to eight weeks.
