Three Dead and Four Critical in Helicopter Crash in Northwestern British Columbia

Police and coroners are heading to northwestern British Columbia to investigate a tragic helicopter crash that resulted in the death of three people and left four others in critical condition. The incident occurred during a heli-skiing expedition, approximately 50 kilometers west of Terrace, when one of the three helicopters lost communication and ultimately crashed into a snowfield at around 4:15 p.m. Monday.

Fortunately, the other two helicopters were able to land safely and transported the survivors to paramedics who then rushed them to a hospital in Terrace. The victims, who were all in critical condition, received immediate medical attention from three air ambulances and five ground ambulances dispatched by B.C. Emergency Health Services. Mills Memorial Hospital enacted a Code Orange in response to the mass-casualty event.

John Forrest, the president of Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, expressed deep grief and sorrow, extending his condolences to the affected guests and staff. Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, based in Terrace, will collaborate closely with the police and other investigating agencies to determine the cause of the crash.

Investigators from the RCMP, who can only access the crash scene via helicopter, will be flown to the site during daylight hours. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been notified and is in the process of gathering information, with WorkSafeBC also involved in the investigation, as confirmed by the RCMP.

The deceased individuals’ names and hometowns will not be disclosed at this time as efforts are made to notify their next of kin, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Madonna Saunderson stated. HeliCat Canada, an industry association, mentioned that its member operators, including Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, undergo safety audits every five years to minimize risks.

While fatalities in heli-skiing are rare, the industry strives to mitigate risks through its extensive knowledge and expertise in providing guests with a safe and enjoyable experience of helicopter and snowcat skiing, stated the industry association in a heartfelt statement.

With this distressing incident capturing attention, CTV News Vancouver’s Kaija Jussinoja contributed to this report.