Powell River coast guard part of joint search after helicopter crashes in Killam Bay

One person is presumed dead following a helicopter crash near Killam Bay on the Sunshine Coast, close to Earls Cove and Egmont.

According to a media release, on October 4, Sunshine Coast RCMP was contacted by the RCMP west coast marine services and informed that there had been a distress call made regarding a suspected helicopter crash in Killam Bay. The joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC) was immediately involved, along with the coast guard from Powell River.

According to the release, witnesses in the area were the first on scene and some debris of the helicopter was located, but the lone occupant and pilot was not. A search was conducted in the area without success.

“RCMP is working with several partners on this investigation to determine what caused this crash, including coast guard, transport Canada, WorkSafeBC and the BC coroner’s service,” stated BC RCMP media spokesperson sergeant Chris Manseau. “Transport Canada is working on a recovery for the helicopter, but that may take some time, as the water in the area is believed to be more than 500 feet deep.”

The release stated the BC Coroners Service is also conducting a concurrent fact-finding investigation into the unexpected accident. Due to privacy legislation, under the Coroners Act, the pilot’s name will not be released, but he is not a Sunshine Coast resident, according to the release.