MONTREAL — Quebec provincial police have initiated a search operation following a helicopter crash that occurred late Friday night in northeastern Quebec, resulting in four individuals remaining unaccounted for. The incident took place around 10:30 p.m. near the community of Natashquan, located over 1,000 kilometers northeast of Montreal.
According to police reports, the helicopter was operated by Airmedic and was carrying five people at the time of the accident. Fortunately, one woman was rescued and is currently receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. The search efforts on Saturday morning focused on a wooded area in the region north of Natashquan, as authorities continue to look for the four missing individuals.
Raphaele Bourgault, a spokesperson for the Longueuil, Quebec-based air medical transport company, Airmedic, confirmed that the helicopter involved was part of their fleet. Emergency services were quickly deployed to the crash site following the incident. In an emailed statement, Bourgault emphasized that Airmedic staff are working closely with local authorities and first responders to manage the crisis and provide necessary assistance to those affected by the accident. The company has also committed to releasing further information as it becomes available.
Airmedic specializes in air medical transport, providing services across Canada with a fleet that includes both airplanes and helicopters. As the search operation unfolds, a command post has been established in the area, and specialized search teams are on the ground and in the air, utilizing available resources to conduct their search, which includes operations on water as well.
Additionally, the Canadian Armed Forces have been called upon for assistance in the search efforts. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been notified about the crash and is preparing to conduct an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police investigators will be collaborating with the board throughout this probe, as Sgt. Élizabeth Marquis-Guy confirmed the ongoing cooperation between the various entities involved.
This helicopter crash marks a serious incident for Airmedic and raises concerns regarding safety in air medical transportation. With emergency responders and investigators actively engaged, the hope remains that the missing individuals will be located soon, and that a clearer understanding of the causes behind the crash will be achieved through the forthcoming investigation.
Overall, Airmedic's team, along with provincial police and military personnel, continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in this unfortunate event. The community’s thoughts remain with those affected as search operations persist and further updates are awaited.
