Latest news with #WatshishouLake
CBC
26-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Search ends for missing crew, patient in Airmedic helicopter crash
Bodies of 2 missing crew members, patient located in Quebec lake 6 days after crash The search for three people missing after a medical evacuation helicopter crashed late Friday night near Natashquan on Quebec's North Shore is over. Montreal-area company Airmedic said in a news release Wednesday night that divers with Quebec provincial police had located the bodies of two crew members and a patient in Lake Watshishou, located roughly 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. The helicopter was also located in the lake, ending the six-day search. "This confirmation has deeply moved our team," wrote Airmedic spokesperson Raphaële Bourgault. "A time of remembrance begins for the Airmedic family. We will take the time to pay tribute to them and honour their commitment." The Airmedic helicopter carrying four crew members and one passenger crashed into Watshishou Lake around 10:30 p.m. Friday during a medical transport. One of the crew members managed to escape in circumstances that are still unclear. That person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another crew member's body was recovered Monday night. The identity of the victims will be released by the coroner once formal identification has been completed and the family's consent is obtained, the company said. "Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and colleagues affected by this loss, as well as with the family of our patient, to whom we extend our most sincere condolences," Bourgault said. Airmedic announced earlier this week that it was suspending its air operations until furhter notice in order to prioritize the well-being of its teams and offer them the support they need. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating.
CBC
24-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
1 body recovered from Airmedic helicopter crash on Quebec's North Shore; 3 still missing
The body of one of the four people missing since Friday's Airmedic helicopter crash on Quebec's North Shore was recovered Monday evening. The company, which specializes in emergency medical transport, confirmed that divers with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) recovered one of the aircraft's crew members at around 7 p.m. In a statement late Monday night, Airmedic said its thoughts are "with the family and loved ones of our colleague, to whom we offer our most sincere condolences." The identity of the victim will be released by the coroner once formal identification has been completed and the family's consent is obtained, the company said. The Airmedic helicopter carrying four crew members and one passenger crashed into Watshishou Lake around 10:30 p.m. Friday, near Natashquan, Que., about 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal, during a transport operation. One of the crew members managed to escape in circumstances that are still unclear. That person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Search efforts to locate the aircraft and the other three individuals still missing are expected to continue Tuesday. "During these painful hours, the entire Airmedic family is in mourning," company spokesperson Raphaële Bourgault wrote in a statement. "We are deeply shaken and stand in solidarity with one another through this difficult time." Airmedic said it suspended its flight operations in the wake of the crash in order to prioritize the well-being of its teams and offer them the support they need. Psychosocial resources have been made available to employees, the company said.
