Tributes are pouring in for the occupants of a Hamilton-based air ambulance that crashed over the Atlantic Ocean after the company confirmed that all six people on board are now presumed dead. Debris from the Latitude Air Ambulance aircraft was found off the coast of Nantucket, Mass. on Saturday night and after an extensive search and rescue operation, the company confirmed on Sunday night that it will now transition to a recovery mission. The aircraft was flying from Bermuda to Boston when the pilot declared an emergency and air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane. In a statement released Monday, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath called the incident a “tragic loss of life.” “My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who were aboard, and to the entire Latitude team as they mourn the loss of their colleagues and friends,” she said in a post on social media. “Latitude is part of our Hamilton community, operating out of Hamilton International Airport. On behalf of the @cityofhamilton, I extend my deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.” In a statement issued on Sunday night, Latitude said the suspension of the search means they must “now face the heartbreaking reality” that the four crew members, the patient, and the patient’s family escort, are presumed to have died. “This is an unimaginable loss for our Latitude family and for everyone who loved the six people aboard Heartbeat 104,” the company’s president, Peter Byl, said in a statement. “Our focus now is on supporting their families, supporting our people and assisting the authorities. We will honour our colleagues by remembering the care, professionalism, and commitment they brought to their work every day.” In a post on social media on Monday, Ornge air ambulance responded to the news about the suspension of the search. “As an organization whose people work in aviation & critical care transport every day, we know this news will be particularly difficult,” the statement read. “Everyone at Ornge is thinking of those affected & extending our deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those onboard.” Bermuda Premier David Burt also offered condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bermuda on Monday. “While we held out hope for the best, the worst fears have been realized and so our first thoughts are with the families of those so tragically lost,” Burt’s statement read. “Let us open our hearts to the families in the hope that our expressions of love, support and compassion will bring some comfort as they attempt to deal with this terrible loss.” With files from CP24’s Joanna Lavoie and CTV News Toronto’s Jermaine Wilson
