In brief
Airmedic's medical helicopter crashed late Friday night, prompting an extensive search for four individuals still unaccounted for, while one has been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Emergency services are actively searching for four individuals who went missing after a medical helicopter operated by Airmedic crashed into a lake in rural Quebec late Friday night. According to officials, five people were aboard the helicopter — four crew members and one patient. Sgt. Laurie Avoine of the Quebec provincial police confirmed that one person was located with injuries that were not life-threatening and has since been transported to a hospital. It remains unclear whether this person was one of the crew members.The troubling incident occurred around 10:30 PM in a wooded area north of Natashquan, Quebec. The Canadian Armed Forces have joined the provincial police in their search efforts. Ground, water, and air teams are being utilized for the recovery operation, as they work to locate the missing individuals.Nicholas Defalco, a spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, indicated that the helicopter had just taken off when it crashed. Information regarding the flight's origin and intended destination has not yet been disclosed.In light of the incident, Airmedic, which operates a fleet of seven planes and six helicopters, announced a temporary suspension of all air operations. Natashquan, known for its remote location north of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, is a small village with a population of around 300. This area is famously associated with artist Gilles Vigneault and is frequented by tourists for its rich natural surroundings and whale-watching opportunities.
