Four people have died and five are in hospital after a floatplane crash Friday north of Vancouver Island.
The Transportation Safety Board is now deploying a team to the scene, on Addenbroke Island.
The Cessna 208 floatplane went down approximately 100 kilometres north of Port Hardy just after 11 a.m. Friday morning.
The plane was carrying nine people and was going to Calvert Island, which is north of Port Hardy and south of Bella Bella.
The plane was being operated by Seaair Seaplanes, which is based out of Richmond B.C.
During the time of the crash there was low visibility and light rain.
Experts say the region is known to be difficult to navigate, especially in tough weather.
A helicopter is seen arriving at Addenbroke Island at around 2:20 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2019. (Nav Canada)
A CH-149 Cormorant rescue helicopter and a CC-115 Buffalo patrol plane from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron based in Comox responded to the crash.
B.C. Ferries’ Northern Sea Wolf vessel also responded to the incident while it was on its route.
JRCC says all casualties arrived at Port Hardy after the incident, but further details are not being released due to privacy.
BC Emergency Health Service says two of the survivors are in critical condition.
The other three are stable, but serious condition.
“The thoughts of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union are with the victims of this crash, their families, and the passengers and crew of the Northern Seawolf and other first responders to this incident,” Graeme Johnson, provincial president of the union, said in a statement.
“At this time it is too early to speculate as to the cause of the crash,” Cpl. Chris Manseau, division media relations officer for BC RCMP, said in a statement.
Premier John Horgan tweeted his condolences following the crash and thanked the Coast Guard, BC Ferries, medical staff and others on scene.
“My thoughts are with those affected by this tragic accident,” Horgan said.
Anyone with information on the crash or anyone who may have been a witness can call Bella Bella RCMP at 250-957-2388.
The TSB says they are an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety.
They will not assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability for the incident.
One of the injured passengers from Friday’s floatplane crash off the central coast of B.C. arrives in Vancouver. (CBC/Shane MacKichan)
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