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2 Dead in Helicopter Crash on B.C.'s West Coast
🇨🇦 Canada /Disasters & Emergencies

2 Dead in Helicopter Crash on B.C.'s West Coast

From Global News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A helicopter crash near Knight Inlet on British Columbia's West Coast resulted in two fatalities on Tuesday morning.
  • The Hughes 500 helicopter was engaged in forestry operations when it went down at 6:15 a.m.
  • West Coast Helicopters confirmed one of the deceased was their pilot, Riley Browne, and expressed condolences to his family.

Two people died in a helicopter crash near Knight Inlet on the West Coast of British Columbia on Tuesday morning. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

The helicopter, a Hughes 500 operated by West Coast Helicopters, was conducting forestry operations in Loughborough Inlet. According to a statement from West Coast Helicopters, the aircraft went down at approximately 6:15 a.m. with a pilot and two other individuals on board.

This morning, we had a Hughes 500 operating in Loughborough Inlet for forestry operations. They were working with the amazing CFMG crew. At 6:15 a.m., our machine went down with a pilot and two people on board. One survivor and two deceased. Riley Browne from WCH and a CFMG crew member did not survive.

— West Coast HelicoptersThe company described the details of the helicopter crash and confirmed the number of fatalities and survivors.

One survivor was recovered from the crash site. Tragically, pilot Riley Browne from West Coast Helicopters and a crew member from CFMG, a forestry company working with the helicopter, did not survive. CFMG has not yet released a public statement regarding the loss of its crew member.

He always had a smile on his face, eager to help. Riley started his flying career at WCH in 2021. He was one of the pillars of the company. We all loved him.

— West Coast HelicoptersThe company shared fond memories of the pilot, Riley Browne, highlighting his positive attitude and contribution to the company.

West Coast Helicopters remembered Riley Browne as a valued member of their team. In a social media post, the company described him as a "great guy" and a good friend and pilot to his colleagues. "He always had a smile on his face, eager to help," the post read. Browne began his flying career with West Coast Helicopters in 2021 and was considered "one of the pillars of the company."

The company extended its thoughts, condolences, and prayers to Riley's family, noting they are a close-knit and well-known family in the Port McNeill community. "Rest in peace, Riley. You will not be forgotten," the statement concluded.

Our thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to Riley’s family. They are a tight-knit family and well-known in the Port McNeill Community. Rest in peace, Riley. You will not be forgotten.

— West Coast HelicoptersThe company offered condolences to the family of the deceased pilot.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Global News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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