Three people died and four others were seriously injured when a tourist helicopter crashed in British Columbia in western Canada. According to CNN, the incident occurred on Monday (22).
The helicopter crash
The helicopter crashed near the town of Terrace, population 12,000, in the Skeena region of western British Columbia. According to tour operator Northern Escape HeliSkiing, the region is about 70 miles east of the Alaska border.
Who was on board?
There were seven people on board the vehicle, all of whom were taking part in a heliskiing mission in the mountain region. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the information this Tuesday (23). It is worth mentioning that the accident site is quite remote and can only be reached by helicopter.
The victims of the accident
The British Columbia Emergency Health Service reported that the four injured people were treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace in critical condition.
Investigating what happened
Northern Escape HeliSkiing, the tour operator responsible for the tour and known for offering “the best in big mountain and backcountry skiing,” stressed that it is working with the RCMP and other authorities as they investigate the causes of the incident .
Risks of heliskiing
Although rare, helicopter accidents pose a risk to people who heliski in the mountains and backcountry. “The company is taking all precautions to minimize risks. However, as with many outdoor activities, it is impossible to 100% eliminate the associated risks,” said a spokesperson for Northern Escape HeliSkiing.