The Transportation Safety Board has moved the helicopter that crashed west of Campbell River on Sunday to the Pacific Region office in Richmond.
After investigators from the board went over the scene of the crash, and examined and recorded the wreckage, it was transported by helicopter out of the area, said Chris Krepski, spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board.
“Once it arrives there we will do a more thorough examination of the aircraft and it’s system and records to determine if mechanical failure played a role in the accident,” Krepski added.
One woman died the helicopter crash approximately three kilometres west of the Campbell River Airport, Campbell River on Sunday.
Campbell River RCMP responded to the call of a crashed helicopter at 5 p.m., Sunday in a heavily forested area. First responders were able to walk in to the scene and extricate one male occupant from the wreckage, Campbell River RCMP Staff Sgt. Troy Beauregard said. A female occupant of the helicopter was located deceased at the scene. The injured male was transported to hospital in Victoria for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
Emergency crews had difficulty accessing the site by vehicle and ended up having to approach by foot and air. A report indicates an RCMP helicopter had to abandon accessing the crash site due to low fuel.
#CampbellRiver crews responding to a helicopter crash NE of the Airport. Unable to access by ground. Asking for 442 rescue heli from Comox
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) October 2, 2017
Ground emergency service personnel from Campbell River were first on the scene. Using flashlights, firefighters helped the 442 Squadron helicopter crew locate the scene of the crash which was obscured by dark, thick forest and tall trees, 19 Wing Comox Public Affairs reported to Black Press. Two SAR Techs were inserted near the crash site to assist emergency services personnel already at the scene.
This was a multi-agency response involving Campbell River RCMP, BC Ambulance, Campbell River Fire Rescue, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria, and the Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue team from 442 Squadron based in Comox.
