Four people from the St Theresa Point First nation were killed on Saturday evening, when a float plane went down near Makepeace Lake, about 40 kilometres south of the northeastern Manitoba community.
The crash was reported around 6:45 pm, prompting police, military search-and-rescue teams and a chartered helicopter to rush to the remote area, Manitoba RCMP said on Sunday, CBC news reported.
The victims include a 49-year-old man, two women aged 50, and a 53-year-old man, who were all pronounced dead at the site.
All four were residents of St Theresa Point First Nation and were travelling to Makepeace Lake, roughly 425 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, close to the Manitoba-Ontario border, CBC news reported.
Investigators said that the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver float plane had been scheduled to touch down on the lake, but instead crashed on land just north of it.
The 20-year-old pilot survived with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was treated overnight by rescue teams at the crash site.
CBC News confirmed the aircraft belonged to Alair air taxi service, based in St Theresa Point, though the company declined to comment.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt Paul Manaigre said community leaders were informed of the victims’ identities, though their names have not been released publicly.
Chief Raymond Flett described the tragedy as a devastating blow to the community, noting the victims were two couples, each with young children. He said they had been on a weekend trip to their traditional hunting grounds.
The Assembly of Manitoba chiefs and grand chief Kyra Wilson also expressed sorrow in a Facebook statement, offering their “deepest condolences.”
“We grieve with you. The loss of community members in such a sudden and devastating way is felt across all our Nations. In this time of heartbreak, we stand with St. Theresa Point, holding up the families and community in prayer, love, and strength,” CBC news quoted.
As investigations by RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada continue, Flett said the community is desperate for answers. “Our condolences are going out to those family members, friends, community members. It’s going to be tough,” Manaigre added.
“Hopefully we can get some information to them very soon as to exactly what happened.”
The crash was reported around 6:45 pm, prompting police, military search-and-rescue teams and a chartered helicopter to rush to the remote area, Manitoba RCMP said on Sunday, CBC news reported.
The victims include a 49-year-old man, two women aged 50, and a 53-year-old man, who were all pronounced dead at the site.
All four were residents of St Theresa Point First Nation and were travelling to Makepeace Lake, roughly 425 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, close to the Manitoba-Ontario border, CBC news reported.
Investigators said that the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver float plane had been scheduled to touch down on the lake, but instead crashed on land just north of it.
The 20-year-old pilot survived with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was treated overnight by rescue teams at the crash site.
CBC News confirmed the aircraft belonged to Alair air taxi service, based in St Theresa Point, though the company declined to comment.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt Paul Manaigre said community leaders were informed of the victims’ identities, though their names have not been released publicly.
Chief Raymond Flett described the tragedy as a devastating blow to the community, noting the victims were two couples, each with young children. He said they had been on a weekend trip to their traditional hunting grounds.
The Assembly of Manitoba chiefs and grand chief Kyra Wilson also expressed sorrow in a Facebook statement, offering their “deepest condolences.”
“We grieve with you. The loss of community members in such a sudden and devastating way is felt across all our Nations. In this time of heartbreak, we stand with St. Theresa Point, holding up the families and community in prayer, love, and strength,” CBC news quoted.
As investigations by RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada continue, Flett said the community is desperate for answers. “Our condolences are going out to those family members, friends, community members. It’s going to be tough,” Manaigre added.
“Hopefully we can get some information to them very soon as to exactly what happened.”
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