UPDATE: Helicopter crash north of Terrace claims 3 lives, prompts emergency response
A Northern Escape Heli-Skiing helicopter crashed 50 kilometres northwest of Terrace, triggering a rapid emergency and investigative response
A helicopter belonging to Northern Escape Heli-Skiing crashed in a remote mountainous area 50 kilometres northwest of Terrace on Monday, prompting a swift emergency response and leading to the deaths of three individuals and four injuries, Terrace RCMP confirmed on Tuesday.
The crash occurred during a heli-skiing operation involving three helicopters with numerous passengers. Terrace RCMP revealed that the accident involved one of these helicopters, which had lost communication before its crash site was located in a snowfield. Seven passengers were aboard the helicopter.
In the wake of the crash, the remaining two helicopters successfully evacuated the other four passengers from the scene. These individuals were then taken into the care of BC Ambulance Service and Terrace Fire Rescue, and subsequently hospitalized, Terrace RCMP said in a statement.
Eryn Collins, a spokesperson for Northern Health, told The Skeena Reporter that the four people initially admitted to Mills Memorial Hospital in critical condition were later transferred to other medical facilities across British Columbia for higher levels of care. Northern Health also updated the condition of two of those patients to serious condition, while the other two remain critical.
The Terrace Fire Department told The Skeena Reporter on Monday afternoon that they were dispatched to the crash site shortly before 4:00 p.m. In response to the incident, Mills Memorial Hospital declared a Code Orange around 4:15 p.m. Collins elaborated that a Code Orange is activated in mass casualty incidents to manage hospital capacity and resources efficiently.
Collins expressed deep concern for those impacted by the tragedy and extended sympathies to their families and friends. She commended the hospital staff for their prompt and compassionate care of the crash victims and other patients. Northern Health had requested the public to delay non-urgent visits to the hospital during the emergency.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are underway by the BC Coroners Service, Transport Safety Board (TSB), WorkSafe BC, and Terrace RCMP. Due to the crash site's remoteness, accessible only by helicopter, officials from the Terrace RCMP and the BC Coroners Service planned to visit the site on Tuesday for investigate further during daylight hours.
Terrace RCMP has reported that the identities and hometowns of the deceased will remain confidential until their families have been duly notified.
This is a developing story. More to come.
This story was last updated on Jan. 23, 2024 at 1:40 p.m.