Wood Buffalo RCMP reports search crews have located remains identifying the second deceased person in this crash. The remains were located outside of the debris field. Next of kin notification has taken place. Search crews will continue to scan the area to assist the Transportation Safety Board in their investigation. Wood Buffalo RCMP is asking cooperation from the general public to please remain away from the crash site area in order that the trained Search and Rescue members can complete their tasks.
BACKGROUND (Released at 7:34 am today)
Wood Buffalo RCMP is reporting the recovery of one deceased male from the aircraft crash site approximately 20 kilometers south east of Fort McMurray. Police report the deceased is a 33 year old Edmonton man and have been in contact with both victim’s families. The second victim is a 32 year old Fort McMurray man. Names of the victims will not be released in accordance with the Privacy Act.
The Transportation Safety Board has taken the lead into this incident and has processed the crash site and continues to investigate. A large search team comprised of an RCMP helicopter, civilian helicopter, RCMP members, Search and Rescue, and two RCMP Police Dog Service teams continue to search the debris field and have not yet located the second victim. The search continues today.
Inquiries about the crash may be directed to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Anyone with information that may assist with this investigation is asked to contact the Transportation Safety Board at 1-800-387-3557 or Wood Buffalo RCMP.
BACKGROUND (Released 2015-06-22)
At approximately 8:08 pm Sunday evening, June 21st, Wood Buffalo Regional Emergency Services received a report of a midair collision involving two small airplanes in the skies east of Fort McMurray. Wood Buffalo RCMP responded to the airport as one of the planes landed safely and the pilot who was alone in that aircraft was uninjured.
An air search for the other aircraft was conducted by HERO 1 Medical Helicopter that was able to locate the second aircraft that had crashed in an isolated area east of Fort McMurray. Police are on the scene of the crash site and confirm two occupants of that aircraft are deceased.
The Transport Safety Board of Canada has been contacted to assist in this unfortunate incident.
The investigation into this crash is in the very early stages and further information will be released as it becomes available.
If you have information about this, or any other investigation(s), please call the Wood Buffalo RCMP at (780) 788-4000, or if you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions on how to do). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), the recovery of stolen property, and/or a seizure of illicit drugs, you may be eligible for a cash reward.