A medical transport helicopter of the Airmedic company, with five passengers on board, crashed Friday evening north of Natashquan, in the Côte-Nord region. Only one person was found by the authorities, who were still investigating in the sector on Saturday noon.
The emergency services were called around 10:30 p.m. Friday, and they were still in intervention on Saturday before in a wooded sector north of Natashquan, according to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
“Five people were inside the aircraft, and four of them are currently missing,” said Elizabeth Marquis, spokesperson for the SQ.
One of the passengers managed to get out of the aircraft, and was transported to a hospital center to treat injuries that are not putting his life in danger, she added.
The helicopter was doing a medical evacuation and crashed in a lake shortly after taking off, according to the Canada Transport Safety Office (BST), which is now responsible for the survey.
“The BST is in contact with the operator and the other people involved and collects information,” wrote Nic Defalco, spokesperson for the BST.
The helicopter carried four members of the crew and a passenger, confirmed Airmedic.
“The emergency services were immediately dispatched to the premises, and Airmedic staff collaborate closely with the authorities and the first stakeholders in order to manage the situation and provide the necessary assistance,” said Raphaële Bourgault, manager of business development and business communications.
A command post was erected at the scene of the incident. Research specialists were raating on the site on Saturday, both in the ground, and in the air, and in the lake or crashed the aircraft, according to the SQ.
The SQ will collaborate in the BST investigation. The Canadian Armed Forces will assist them.
