Multiple dead after plane crashes on Gabriola Island
Credit to Author: David Carrigg| Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2019 05:23:20 +0000
Several people died after a plane crashed on the north end of Gabriola Island on Tuesday evening.
“It was terrifying,” said Bette Lou Hagen, who lives 100 metres from where the plane went down at 6 p.m., partly on Decourcy Drive on peninsula on the northernmost point of the island.
“I heard the roaring of an engine, much louder than a car engine, then a loud crash. Then a minute later an explosion.”
Hagen was sitting in her living room reading when the plane went down. She said it was ablaze by the time she went outside.
The B.C. Coroners Service said it had been notified of “multiple fatalities” and was in the preliminary stages of its “fact-finding investigation to determine who died, and how, where, when and by what means the deceased came to their sudden, unexpected deaths.”
The crash will be investigated in partnership with the Transportation Safety Board. TSB investigators are expected to arrive on Wednesday.
A British Columbia Emergency Health Services spokesperson said paramedics were called to the area of Ricardo Road and DeCourcy Drive at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Ricardo Road links the main island with a peninsula at the northernmost point.
The service said there were two ambulances on the island and about five others were transported there via a ferry. The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department was also involved as the plane reportedly caught fire after breaking up.
While the type of plane that crashed has not been confirmed, an online flight tracker shows a six-person, twin-engined Piper Aerostar heading north from the U.S. disappeared off the tracker at around 6 p.m., just north of Gabriola Island.
Residents took to Facebook to describe the chaos and warn other residents.
Paolo Gast wrote “Wow 6:02 witnessed a plane do a low manouvre, then straight up, then drop and light show into ocean… sunset side of twin beach. 6:08 hearing emergency sirens… Same maneuvre I saw of Red Bull plane do at Vancouver fireworks.”
Kristina Wray Baerg posted at 6:30 p.m., “Heard what sounded like an airplane close to the house, then a thump and the house shook! I don’t see or hear anything outside … Taylor Bay Area … Anyone else?”
Stephanie Reisler responded, “Obviously a tragedy for victims. Also traumatizing for residents of the peninsula — some of whom are elderly and are having war flashbacks and war-related PTSD. Maybe check on these neighbours once things have cleared and settled.”
with files from Canadian Press.