Two fishermen dead, two released from hospital after fishing boat sinks off coast of Halifax

Two fishermen are dead and two have been rescued after a boat sank near Halifax on Thursday night.

Two men have died after an 18-metre fishing vessel sank off the coast of Halifax Thursday night.

Jose Teixeira, owner and president of Chester Basin Seafood, which owns the vessel called “Fortune Pride,” confirmed all four fishermen aboard the boat were located and brought to shore, but only two have survived.

According to Teixeira, a distress signal was sent from the sinking vessel around 10:06 p.m., indicating the boat was going down about 18 kilometres southeast of Sambro, N.S.

The Canadian Coast Guard vessels Hare Bay and Sir William Alexander responded to the scene, as well as a Cormorant helicopter and a Hercules plane.

Three of the fishers were rescued Thursday night, one of whom was unconscious. All three were rushed to hospital.

The fourth crew member was located in a life raft Friday morning, but rescuers said the man was unresponsive when lifted aboard a search and rescue helicopter.

Teixeira confirmed to CTV News that two fishers have since been released from hospital and offered his sincere condolences to the families of the two other fishermen who died.

“Our company lost a fishing vessel and two very good men. Faithful and very hard-working men,” said Teixeira. “Our hearts go out to the families right now and we want to support the families as best as we can.”

Transportation Safety Board to investigate

A team with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) will be investigating the incident.

The TSB says the team will gather information and assess the occurrence.

The board is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline and rail transportation occurrences. Its stated aim is the “advancement of transportation safety.”

It is not the board’s function to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.

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