Missing helicopter crew members found dead

Missing helicopter crew members found dead

Two missing crew members who were on board a military helicopter that crashed in the Ottawa River near Garrison Petawawa yesterday morning have been found dead. The names of the deceased are not being released at the request of their families.

The two were part of a four-person team aboard a CH-147F Chinook from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron that was conducting a training exercise at the time that they crashed in the river, for reasons that are unknown at this time.

“The accident is now the subject of an investigation by the RCAF’s Directorate of Flight Safety,” a statement from the Department of Defense reads. “Further information about the accident itself will not be released to preserve the integrity of this independent investigation.”

The two other crew members were found by firefighters yesterday and taken to Pembroke Hospital with minor injuries, and have been released.

“The full range of support is being provided to the families of the two deceased members, the two surviving air crew members and their families, and to the members of 450 Squadron and Garrison Petawawa at this difficult time,” the statement reads.