Four dead after helicopter crashes near Montreal
The helicopter caught fire after crashing in a field in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville on Saturday afternoon.
SAINTE-BRIGIDE-D'IBERVILLE — Four people were killed Saturday afternoon when a helicopter crashed in a field in the Montérégie region southeast of Montreal.
The Sûreté du Québec said it received a call shortly after 2:30 p.m. about the crash near Rang des Écossais off Highway 10 in the municipality of Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville.
"The four occupants of the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene," an SQ spokesperson told CityNews.
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SQ spokesperson Brigitte Dorsainville said the helicopter was on fire when first responders arrived.
Police said the chopper caught fire, but it is unclear if the fire began in the air or as a result of the crash.
Fire crews had the blaze under control within an hour.
Police said Saturday evening that the helicopter likely encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff and crashed not far from its departure point, according to early information.
The SQ did not specify where the helicopter took off from.
The identities of the victims have yet to be released. Police said they believe the helicopter was a "private aircraft."
SQ spokesperson Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said the process of identification may "take a few days."
The SQ's major crimes unit has taken over the file and is investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed it has deployed a team of investigators to the crash site.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon took to social media to express his condolences.
"My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy," he wrote.
MacKinnon said the safety of civil aviation operations is a top priority for Transport Canada.
"The department will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground and stands ready to provide support and work with all relevant parties as the situation develops," he said.
MacKinnon said the federal government is monitoring the situation and will provide necessary support. He also announced that Transport Canada will appoint a "minister's observer."
The observer's role is to monitor the response alongside the TSB and provide the minister with updates on the investigation. The observer can also help identify regulatory issues or safety deficiencies.
Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville is located roughly 55 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
With files from CBC News, Global News and CityNews