1 person dead after small plane crashed in eastern Ontario

KINGSTON, Ont. — One person is dead after a small plane crash in eastern Ontario on Saturday afternoon.

Ontario Provincial Police say they received several calls from members of the public who reported seeing a small aircraft go down near the southern tip of Bob’s Lake in Frontenac County.

“It was a challenging scene to get to, it was very heavily wooded. My understanding is that the fire department actually had to use chainsaws in order to access the wreckage,” Frontenac OPP Sgt. Jennifer Coles said.

“Further, my understanding is that JRCC Trenton actually dropped two SAR techs, or medics, down to the scene to ascertain if they could perform any lifesaving measures on the pilot of that aircraft. And they weren’t able to do so.”

They say emergency crews and members of the public started searching the area for the downed aircraft.

The plane was located just before 5 p.m.

“It had taken off from a small, private air strip just outside of Yarker, Ontario. Was due to pick up a passenger in Westport, and then carry on to Gatineau. However, it did not make it to its destination,” Sgt. Coles said.

Police say the pilot, who was the lone occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene; their name has not been released.

They say the Transportation Safety Board of Canada will be investigating the crash.