Four killed in helicopter crash near Montreal, Canada
A private helicopter crashed and caught fire in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, 50km from Montreal, killing all four people on board.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- A private helicopter crashed in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, Quebec.
- Police confirmed that all four occupants died at the scene.
- Major crime units and transportation safety boards have launched a joint investigation.
Four people have lost their lives following a tragic helicopter crash in a small town located approximately 50 kilometers or 31 miles away from Montreal, according to confirmation given by Quebec provincial police to BBC reporters.
Emergency response teams were dispatched to Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville shortly after 14:30 local time, corresponding to 19:30 British Summer Time, on Saturday afternoon. Upon arrival, rescuers found the aircraft engulfed in flames and officially declared all occupants dead at the scene.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Sergeant Audrey-Anne Bilodeau stated that the victims have not yet been formally identified. Authorities noted that determining the identities of those on board is a delicate process that could take several days, though preliminary observations suggest the vehicle was a private helicopter.
The crash site has been identified near the Rang des Écossais road located just off Highway 10. Police first became aware of the dangerous situation through an emergency phone call reporting a distressed aircraft that appeared to be in trouble before eventually going down and catching fire.
Private aviation accidents present unique challenges for investigators due to the frequent absence of flight data recorders found in commercial airliners. The involvement of both provincial crime units and federal transportation safety investigators highlights the thorough multidisciplinary approach required to determine whether mechanical failure, pilot incapacitation, or environmental factors contributed to the crash.
Although the fire at the wreckage was brought under control within an hour of the initial emergency call, specialized officials and forensic technicians remained active at the crash location working late into the night just before 22:00 local time.
"The victims have not yet been identified and this process may take a few days."
Sergeant Audrey-Anne Bilodeau
An in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is currently being spearheaded by the Major Crime Unit of the Sûreté du Québec. They are working in close collaboration with crime scene technicians and investigators representing the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
Source: BBC World
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