A man is dead and five other people are recovering from injuries after a helicopter crash in Bute Inlet near Campbell River, B.C. Saturday.
The Bell Longranger helicopter went down shortly after 8:30 p.m. about 100 kilometres northeast of Campbell River, according to the RCMP.
The 68-year-old pilot was transporting five passengers on a fly fishing trip when the helicopter went down and overturned in the Homathco River. The incident occurred while the helicopter was hopping between fishing areas, the Transportation Safety Board said.
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Five of the six on board, including the pilot, were able to escape with non-life-threatening injuries, but a 45-year-old man was trapped in the wreckage and unable to escape. When the helicopter failed to arrive at its final destination, another chopper was launched and found the crash scene.
The pilot and a male passenger are both from Gold River, B.C. and the other passengers are U.S. citizens, including the deceased.
The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team will attempt to recover the man’s body from the submerged wreckage Monday.
The pilot and four passengers have since been released from hospital, while a fifth passenger is still receiving medical treatment.
Mounties said the helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff and there are no indications of criminal involvement.
The helicopter was operated by E & B Helicopters of Campbell River.
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