Fatal helicopter crash near Tweed
(photo submitted: Amanda Stolk)
(Dec 14th, 2017 - Tweed, ON) OPP confirmed on Thursday that four people passed away in a helicopter crash near Hwy 7 and Flinton Rd in Tweed, Ontario, about 100 kilometres north-west of Kingston, shortly before noon on Thursday morning. Several fire departments, land ambulances, police, search and rescue helicopters from Trenton as well as ORNGE responded.
Hydro One confirmed previous witness reports that the crash involved a Hydro One helicopter being used to inspect transmission lines in the area. In a statement, Hydro One said "we are deeply saddened to confirm that an incident involving one of our helicopter aircraft occurred in the Tweed area and has resulted in four fatalities. Emergency services are on-site and we have notified all the appropriate oversight organizations. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time. During this grieving process, we will do everything we can to assist our employees and their families who have been affected in any way, by providing counseling and support. The safety of our employees is paramount and Hydro One together with appropriate safety agencies that have been dispatched will investigate the incident."
The names of the victims have been identified as:
James Baragar, 39-years-old, the helicopter pilot and resident of Orillia, Ontario. He had been with Hydro One since May 2009.
Jeff Howes, 26-years-old, a Power Line Technician, resident of Bath, Ontario and employee with Hydro One since August 2013.
Darcy Jansen, 26-years-old, also a Power Line Technician and resident of Long Sault, Ontario. He had been with Hydro One since August 2013.
Kyle Shorrock, 27-years-old, also a Power Line Technician, resident of Inverary, Ontario, and employee of Hydro One since September 2014.
The cause of the crash has not been determined. The Transportation Safety Board is on scene and investigating.More to come.
