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Police are investigating after a helicopter crashed in a field near the Rang des Écossais off Highway 10 in the municipality of Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville on Saturday afternoon.
Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Brigitte Dorsainville said it happened at around 2:30 p.m. ET and the helicopter was on fire when first responders arrived.
Dorsainville said all four occupants on board were declared dead at the scene.
Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville is located roughly 55 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
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.”
The fire has since been brought under control and the SQ’s major crimes unit has taken over the file.
Transport Canada to appoint minister’s observer
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed it has deployed a team of investigators to the crash site in a statement to CBC News.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon took to social media to express his condolences.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” he wrote, adding that safety of civil aviation operations is a top priority for Transport Canada.
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.