Latest news with #LakeWatshishou
CBC
26-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Search ends for missing crew, patient in Airmedic helicopter crash after bodies found in Quebec lake
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.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Body of crew member from the Airmedic helicopter crash recovered by Quebec police
The body of one of the four people missing since the Airmedic helicopter crash on Friday on the North Shore was found on Monday evening. The company, which specializes in pre-hospital emergency medical transport, confirmed that divers from the Sûreté du Québec recovered one of the aircraft's crew members at around 7 p.m. Airmedic said 'Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of our colleague, to whom we offer our most sincere condolences.' The victim's identity will be released by the coroner once formal identification has been completed and the family's consent has been obtained, the company said. The Airmedic aircraft crashed into Lake Watshishou while performing a pre-hospital emergency transport on Friday evening at around 10:30 p.m. One crew member managed to escape from the helicopter and was subsequently found. A search was then launched to find the four other people on board the aircraft, as well as the helicopter itself. Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft initially participated in the search, but returned to their base on Sunday afternoon. The Sûreté du Québec continued the search with its divers. The search is set to continue on Tuesday to find the aircraft and the other people who are still missing. 'During these painful hours, the entire Airmedic family is in mourning,' the company said in a statement posted late Monday on social media. 'We are deeply shaken and stand in solidarity with one another through this difficult time.' Airmedic suspended its flight operations in the wake of the crash 'in order to prioritize the well-being of its teams and offer them all the support they need to get through this ordeal.' Psychosocial resources have been made available to employees, the company said. An independent investigation, led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, has already been launched to determine the causes of the crash. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 24, 2025.
