Provincial police divers recover body of crew member in Airmedic helicopter crash

FILE - An Airmedic medical transport aircraft on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in Saint-Hubert. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Quebec provincial police continued to search Tuesday for missing occupants of a helicopter that crashed in a lake on Quebec’s North Shore last week.

On Monday evening, provincial police divers found the body of one of the crew members aboard a medical transport helicopter operated by Montreal-area company Airmedic.

The crew was performing a medical transport when it crashed into Lac Watshishou, north of Natashquan, just over 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

The helicopter crashed around 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Rescue crews found one survivor — a male crew member — last week and he was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Search efforts to find the aircraft and the remaining occupants — two crew members and the patient — was ongoing on Tuesday.

Airmedic, based in Longueuil, Que., said it is “deeply shaken” and staff are rallying around one another.

“During these painful hours, the entire Airmedic family is in mourning,” the company said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of our colleague, to whom we offer our most sincere condolences.”

The company says the Quebec coroner’s office will release the identity of the victim once the family gives its consent.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has opened an investigation into the crash and is gathering information, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Paramedics and emergency transport agencies across the country have offered condolences and paid respects to the missing team, declaring solidarity with the Quebec company.

Airmedic also thanked the provincial police for its efforts.

“We remain hopeful that the search will lead to the recovery of the other missing team members and patient,” the company said.

Airmedic specializes in air medical transport and operates both planes and helicopters as part of its fleet. It is a private company that offers its services across Canada.

The company announced on Sunday it had suspended operations temporarily and was offering support to employees.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025.

By Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press