Quebec air ambulance company pays homage to four victims of helicopter crash

The Surete du Quebec, or Quebec Provincial Police patch at a news conference, in Quebec City on Feb. 29, 2024. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The company that operated an air ambulance that crashed on Quebec’s North Shore on June 20 is honouring the four victims who perished.

Airmedic says three of its crew members died as heroes, along with an American patient.

Four crew members and the patient were aboard the Airmedic helicopter when it went down in a remote area north of Natashquan, about 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

The company described the patient as a quiet woman, entirely devoted to her family.

One crew member survived, the body of another person was found on Monday, and the other three victims’ bodies were recovered by provincial police on Wednesday.

The Quebec coroner’s office says the victims are Sébastien De Lutio, 50, from Lac-Beauport; Olivier Blouin, 25, from Pont-Rouge; Sébastien Groulx, 50, from Longueuil; and patient Claire Tripp, 78, from the U.S. state of Maine.

On its website, Airmedic says its employees were faithful to their mission until the very last moment, and saluted their dedication, courage, and humanity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.