Airmedic suspends operations after Quebec helicopter crash leaves four missing

The search resumed Sunday for the four passengers of an Airmedic helicopter who have been missing since the aircraft crashed north of Natashquan, in the Côte-Nord region, on Friday.

“To date, four people remain missing. One crew member has been located; his life is not in danger and he is currently receiving the necessary support,” the pre-hospital medical transport service announced in a press release Sunday morning.

“This tragedy has deeply shaken the entire Airmedic family. In this context, management has decided to temporarily suspend operations in order to prioritize the well-being of its teams and provide them with all the necessary support,” Airmedic announced.

The company confirmed that one of its helicopters crashed into Watshishou Lake while conducting an emergency pre-hospital transport around 10:30 p.m. on Friday.

“The search will therefore focus on this area,” said Sergeant Élizabeth Marquis-Guy, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), in an interview Sunday morning.

SQ divers have been on site since early today to assist rescue teams, which include members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The Royal Canadian Air Force is also participating in the search, said Lieutenant-Commander Len Hickey, senior public affairs officer at Joint Task Force Headquarters.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax has dispatched a CC-130 Hercules and a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter to provide assistance, the officer said.

The SQ confirmed Sunday evening that the search was suspended after nightfall, after continuing into the afternoon. Neither the helicopter nor the four people had been found.

As is standard procedure in such cases, an independent investigation is underway, led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the SQ. Airmedic says it is cooperating “fully” with this investigation.

The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) is also involved.

“The helicopter was conducting a medical evacuation and crashed into a lake shortly after takeoff,” wrote TSB public relations officer Nic Defalco in an email.

“The TSB is in contact with the operator and other people involved and is gathering information,” he added.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews