Those close to the pilot whose helicopter went down while fighting a wildfire in northern Alberta on Wednesday remember him as a man with a big heart. Ryan Gould’s family paid tribute to him publicly in a statement released by family friend Kassy Goodyer on Friday.
“He traveled and made an impression wherever he went. […] His blue eyes and sense of humor are unforgettable,” the statement said. His peers nicknamed him Panda because of his tall stature and kind heart, it said.
Ryan Gould was an experienced pilot and his family had roots in aviation. On Wednesday, his helicopter crashed near Lake Haig, 140 kilometers northeast of Peace River, Alta. The 41-year-old piloted the helicopter alone.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. According to TSB spokesman Chris Krepski, an emergency transmitter signal was received on Wednesday evening. The helicopter was then in a swampy area northeast of Peace River, Alberta. Krepski said the plane was operated by Valhalla Helicopters, who declined to comment.
Open in full screen mode
Ryan Gould is survived by his wife Carlyn and two young boys.
Photo: The Canadian Press / Provided by Kassy Goodyer
Mr Gould is survived by his wife Carlyn and two young boys. The couple, who married in 2009, had recently bought a farm south of their hometown of Whitecourt, Alta, to put down roots after living in several locations in the southern part of the province. Ms Goodyer has started a fundraiser to support Mr Gould’s family.
The death of this pilot is the third to occur in recent days related to fighting wildfires in Canada. Last week, 19-year-old firefighter Devyn Gale died after being crushed by a falling tree near Revelstoke, British Columbia.
Last Saturday, 25-year-old Adam Yeadon died while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories.