A high-profile British businessman died in a seaplane crash on New Year's Eve alongside his fiancee, his two sons and her 11-year-old daughter, Australian police have confirmed.

Richard Cousins, 58, and his fiance Emma Bowden, 48, died along with Ms Bowden's 11-year-old daughter Emma Bowden and Mr Cousins' two sons William Cousins, 25, and Edward Cousins, 23.

The pilot was named as Australian Gareth Morgan, 44, who worked for Sydney Seaplanes.

Mr Cousins was the chief executive of FTSE 100 company The Compass Group, the world's largest catering company, a spokeswoman confirmed.

Paul Walsh, Compass Group 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."

The deaths were revealed by Detective Superintendent Mark Hutchings, head of the New South Wales marine area command. He told a press conference the family had been visiting from the UK.

"These people had come over on holiday to one of most beautiful parts of world and for this to happen at a place like this is just tragic," he said.

A probe is currently underway to establish the cause of the crash.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said: "We are providing consular assistance to the families of five British tourists who have sadly died in a sea plane accident near Sydney. Our sympathies are with their families and friends at this difficult time."

Earlier, New South Wales Police Force said divers had recovered six bodies from the scene. The plane crashed off Jerusalem Bay near Cowan, north of Sydney, at around 3.10pm (4.10am GMT) on Sunday, police said.

Sydney Seaplanes said it was "deeply shocked" by the "tragic accident" involving one of its aircraft.

Aaron Shaw, managing director, said in a statement: "All at Sydney Seaplanes are deeply shocked by this incident and the resulting loss of life.

"We wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the passengers and pilot who were tragically killed.

"We do not yet know the cause of the accident.

"We are dedicating our full resources in assisting the NSW Police, the Australian Transport Safety Board, Civil Aviation Safety Authority and other relevant authorities to understand the cause of the accident."

He added: "Sydney Seaplanes has been operating since 2005, have undertaken thousands of flights in that period and have had an unblemished safety record until now.

"The safety of our passengers and staff is our absolute primary and highest priority.

"Our aircraft are professionally maintained to manufacturer's specifications and our seaplane pilots are some of the most experienced in the world."