UPDATE: One of the victims has now been identified as pilot Rudy Rozsypalek from the Pemberton Soaring Centre.
Previous coverage:
Four people have died after a Cessna 150 and a powered glider collided in mid-air just south of Pemberton B.C. Saturday afternoon. Two people were in each aircraft.
“The Cessna was from 100 Mile House with two occupants, one male and one female, with a dog on board,” said Sgt. Rob Knapton with the Whistler RCMP. “Next of Kin has been notified however names are not being released at this time. The glider was based out of Pemberton with two occupants.”
The incident happened around 12:20 p.m. near the Nairn Falls Campground, located less than half an hour north of Whistler.
Lt. Navy Greg Menzies with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said ground Search and Rescue personnel attended to the scene, along with the Pemberton and Whistler RCMP detachments.
Knapton confirmed debris from the crash fell in the area of the campground where all 94 campsites were full, but no one on the ground was hurt. There are pieces of the aircraft on both sides of the river.
“Luckily no one was struck by the debris, although I understand that some debris fell within 20’ of some guests,” said Knapton in a release.
Witnesses staying at the campground told Global News there was lots of shouting for people to get down and take cover when the accident happened. One woman said it took about 15 minutes for the debris to filter down from the sky.
RCMP restricted access to people staying at the campground for a time while they dealt with the debris on the ground. It is now open to registered campers, but is closed to the general public.
It is not known how the incident happened at this time.
The Transportation Safety Board are on scene.
Second Lt. Erin Edwards with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said all four bodies have been recovered.
– With files from The Canadian Press.
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