A helicopter crashed Saturday afternoon in Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, Quebec, about 50 kilometres southeast of Montreal, killing all four people on board. Provincial police and federal investigators are examining the wreckage after the aircraft was found burning at the scene, while the cause of the crash remains unknown.
Sûreté du Québec officers were called shortly after 2:30 p.m. local time and found the helicopter on fire in a field near Rang des Écossais, off Highway 10. The four occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, and their identities had not been released when reports emerged.
Police described the aircraft as appearing to be private, but its ownership, origin and destination have not been confirmed. The SQ major crimes unit is leading the investigation, with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada also dispatching investigators. Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon said Transport Canada will appoint an observer to monitor the inquiry and provide federal oversight.