Latest news with #Natashquan
CTV News
27-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Quebec air ambulance company pays homage to four victims of helicopter crash
The Surete du Quebec, or Quebec Provincial Police patch at a news conference, in Quebec City on Feb. 29, 2024. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) MONTREAL — The company that operated an air ambulance that crashed on Quebec's North Shore on June 20 is honouring the four victims who perished. Airmedic says three of its crew members died as heroes, along with an American patient. Four crew members and the patient were aboard the Airmedic helicopter when it went down in a remote area north of Natashquan, about 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. The company described the patient as a quiet woman, entirely devoted to her family. One crew member survived, the body of another person was found on Monday, and the other three victims' bodies were recovered by provincial police on Wednesday. The Quebec coroner's office says the victims are Sébastien De Lutio, 50, from Lac-Beauport; Olivier Blouin, 25, from Pont-Rouge; Sébastien Groulx, 50, from Longueuil; and patient Claire Tripp, 78, from the U.S. state of Maine. On its website, Airmedic says its employees were faithful to their mission until the very last moment, and saluted their dedication, courage, and humanity. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025. The Canadian Press
CTV News
26-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Quebec premier offers condolences after all victims recovered from helicopter crash
Lake Watshishou is seen in an image from Google Satellite View. MONTREAL -- Quebec's premier offered his condolences on Thursday to the victims of an air ambulance crash on Quebec's North Shore that killed three crew members and a patient. In a post on the X platform, Francois Legault thanked Quebec provincial police and members of the Canadian Armed Forces who had searched for the victims. 'I also have a special thought for the entire Airmedic team,' the premier said about the Montreal-area air ambulance company whose helicopter crashed on Friday with five people aboard. The crew were performing a medical transport when the aircraft went down in a remote area north of Natashquan, about 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. One crew member survived the crash with non-critical injuries and the body of another was found Monday evening. Mes condoléances aux familles et aux proches des quatre victimes ayant perdu la vie après l'écrasement d'un hélicoptère dans le lac Watshishou. J'ai également une pensée particulière pour toute l'équipe d'Airmedic. Merci à la @sureteduquebec et @ForcesCanada pour leur travail de… — François Legault (@francoislegault) June 26, 2025 Late Wednesday, Airmedic confirmed that the two missing crew members and the patient had been found in Lake Watshishou by provincial police divers, who had also located the downed helicopter. 'This confirmation has deeply moved our team,' Airmedic said in a statement. 'We will take the time to pay tribute to them and honour their commitment. They lost their lives while attempting a rescue -- a gesture that reflects their passion, their vision, and the meaning they gave to their profession.' Airmedic also offered condolences to the patient who perished in the crash. The coroner's office said Thursday it was working to officially confirm the identities of the four dead. The crash and the search for the victims led to an outpouring of condolences and support from other first responders and air ambulance teams across the country. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has opened an investigation into the crash. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025. By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press
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
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.
National Post
24-06-2025
- General
- National Post
Police divers recover remains of crew member in Quebec helicopter crash, three still missing
The Airmedic helicopter rashed around 10:30 p.m. Friday near Natashquan, Que., just over 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. Photo by Ken Aiken Provincial police divers have found the body of one of the crew members aboard a medical transport helicopter that crashed on Quebec's North Shore last week. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Rescue crews found one survivor last week whose life is not in danger. Search efforts to find the aircraft and three other missing people are ongoing. The helicopter crashed around 10:30 p.m. Friday near Natashquan, Que., just over 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal. The helicopter was operated by Montreal-area company Airmedic. The company says it is in mourning and offered condolences to the family and friends of their fallen colleague. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
