In brief
A medical helicopter operated by Airmedic crashed in rural Quebec on Friday, resulting in a serious situation where four individuals are missing. Emergency responders, along with the Canadian Armed Forces, are actively searching for the missing crew members and patient.
Emergency services are engaged in a critical search for four individuals following the crash of a medical helicopter in a lake in rural Quebec on Friday night. The helicopter, belonging to Airmedic, was carrying four crew members and one patient during the incident, which occurred around 10:30 PM near Natashquan. According to Raphaele Bourgault, a manager at Airmedic, one of the five aboard the helicopter has been located with injuries that are not considered life-threatening; details about their identity, however, have not been disclosed by the authorities. The Quebec provincial police, represented by Sergeant Laurie Avoine, have confirmed the involvement of the Canadian Armed Forces in the ongoing search operation.Initial reports from Nicholas Defalco, a spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, indicated that the helicopter had taken off shortly before the crash. The specifics regarding its departure and intended landing locations remain unknown at this time. In response to the incident, Airmedic has announced a temporary suspension of its air operations.The village of Natashquan, noted for its remote and scenic location on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, is home to only about 300 residents. It is characterized by its proximity to nature and opportunities for tourism, particularly in activities such as whale watching. The area is part of the Côte-Nord region, which is less densely populated, further underscoring the isolation surrounding the crash site. Emergency personnel continue to search both land and water for the missing individuals, as hopes for their recovery persist.
