Four people are dead after a helicopter crashed into a field and burst into flames outside Montreal, triggering a major investigation into what caused the aircraft to go down.
Emergency crews were called shortly after 2:30 p.m. Saturday to Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, a small municipality about 30 miles southeast of Montreal in Quebec.
When first responders arrived, the helicopter was still burning in a field near the Rang des Écossais area. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control within about an hour. Global News
Police later confirmed that all four people on board had been killed.
The victims were pronounced dead at the scene, but authorities have not yet released their identities. Police said confirming who they were could take several days. Global News
Investigators said the helicopter appeared to be privately operated.
According to provincial police, the aircraft reportedly experienced some kind of difficulty before crashing, although officials have not yet said what went wrong.
It also remains unclear whether the helicopter caught fire before impact or only after striking the ground. Global News
The Sûreté du Québec’s major crimes unit is leading the investigation, while the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has also been notified and is expected to examine the wreckage, flight conditions and other evidence surrounding the crash. Global News
The Transportation Safety Board investigates aviation accidents to identify causes and safety risks rather than determine criminal or civil liability. Its investigations can include examining the crash site and wreckage, interviewing witnesses and reviewing aircraft and operational records. TSB Canada
Canada’s Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon also offered condolences to those affected by the tragedy and said federal officials were monitoring the situation. Transport Canada lists MacKinnon as the country’s current transport minister. Transport Canada
For residents in the quiet farming community, the crash turned an ordinary Saturday afternoon into a devastating emergency as smoke and flames rose from the field.
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