Four people managed to escape a float plane crash near Bella Bella.
The plane went down Friday afternoon near St John Harbour, about 20 kilometres south of the small coastal community of Klemtu.
The flight was headed towards Sandspit, the largest community on Moresby Island, in Haida Gwaii.
All on board the DeHavilland Beaver were rescued. RCMP say they immediately deployed a 733 Ridged Hull inflatable fast response vessel which allowed them to arrive on scene within 30 minutes.
Several other Coast Guard resources were deployed including the Cape Farewell, two fast response vessels and the Search and Rescue helicopter and Buffalo aircraft.
“Due to the quick response of our members involved, everyone on the downed Beaver floatplane received medical treatment within thirty minutes of the crash,” said Sgt. Rob Pikola of the RCMP in a statement. “Not only was it fortunate that we were close by, but there was a fishing charter boat in the area that had six medical doctors on board who were from the Williams Lake and Vanderhoof area.”
Two people suffered major burns and were taken to a local hospital. The other two have minor injuries and are reportedly doing well.
The cause of the crash has not been determined yet, but fire has been ruled out.
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
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