GRAND MANAN, N.B. - Ambulance New Brunswick (ANB) says a pilot and a paramedic were killed Saturday morning in an aircraft crash.
The accident occurred around 5 a.m.
ANB says a second pilot and one registered nurse with the Grand Manan Hospital survived the crash.
No patients were on board at the time. ANB says there are no reports of injuries on the ground.
“We are devastated by this incident,” says Paul Ward, Interim President at Ambulance New Brunswick. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of our Ambulance New Brunswick paramedic and the pilot from Atlantic Charters who lost their lives.”
The aircraft involved was a six-seater Piper Navajo PA-31, contracted out by Atlantic Charter. It was en route to Grand Manan Island. ANB says the crash occurred after a patient transfer between Grand Manan and the Saint John Regional Hospital had been completed.
The island is one of the southern-most locations in the province.
“It’s too early at this time to state what exactly happened. The investigation will make those determinations. Certainly, ANB will co-operate fully with investigators in an effort to determine the circumstances surrounding this morning’s tragic event,” says Ward.
No names are being released at this time until next of kin can be notified.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has deployed a team of investigators to Grand Manan.
The cause of the accident is still unknown.
Atlantic Charters says it will be releasing an official statement either today or tomorrow morning.
