A helicopter crashed southeast of Montreal on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of all four people aboard. The crash occurred in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, Quebec, about 50 kilometers southeast of Montreal.
Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly after 2:30 p.m. The helicopter reportedly experienced difficulties before crashing into a field near Rang des Écossais, according to the Sûreté du Québec.
The aircraft caught fire following the crash. It was not immediately clear whether the fire began before or after the helicopter hit the ground.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within about an hour. The bodies of the four occupants were discovered at the crash site and all four were declared dead at the scene.
Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec, said the helicopter appeared to be a private aircraft. Authorities had not released additional information about the helicopter or its owner as of Saturday evening.
The identities of the four people killed in the crash have not been released. Police did not immediately provide information about where the helicopter departed from or where it was headed.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has dispatched investigators to examine the crash site, according to The Associated Press. Investigators will work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
The Sûreté du Québec is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Reconstruction specialists were sent to the scene and authorities established a security perimeter around the area.
The crash occurred in Quebec’s Montérégie region. Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville is a rural municipality near Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and southeast of Montreal.
Local reports said the helicopter crashed in a field. Emergency crews were deployed to the area soon after authorities received reports of the accident.
No cause for the crash has been determined. Authorities have not said what type of helicopter was involved.
The Transportation Safety Board investigates aviation accidents in Canada to determine their causes and identify safety risks. Its investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the helicopter’s flight and crash.
Further information about the victims, aircraft and circumstances leading to the crash is expected as investigators continue their work.
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