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BY NATHAN DUREC AND MARCELLA BERNARDO – Jul 26, 2019
SUMMARY
- Four people are dead after a float plane crash off the northern tip of Vancouver Island
- Crews are on the scene, including a rescue helicopter
- There were nine people on board and the chartered plane was en route to Calvert Island
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — Four people have been confirmed dead in a float plane crash on a small island off the northern tip of Vancouver Island.
There were nine people on board and the chartered plane was en route to Calvert Island. No information is available about the other five passengers. A search and rescue mission is underway.
Sub-Lieutenant Michael Dery says the Cessna 208 went down shortly before the noon hour.
He says the Royal Canadian Air Force deployed two search and rescue helicopters to locate the plane. One of them remains on scene.
“A Canadian coast guard helicopter [is also on scene]. We still also have a BC Ferry, the Northern Sea Wolf attending, as well as two Canadian coast guard vessels,” he says.
The plane was operated by Seair Seaplanes, said Chris Krepski of the Transportation Safety Board.
He said the board was gathering information before deciding what its next steps would be.
Seair Seaplanes, which offers daily charter flights and scenic tour flights in British Columbia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
– With files from the Canadian Press