OPP vehicles at the scene of the rural area north of the village of Tweed where the fatal crash occurred. Photo via OPP East
By Trisha Bauder [1] and Sophie Dudley [2]
BELLEVILLE – Four people are dead after a Hydro One helicopter crashed in the Tweed area Thursday.
The crash happened in the area of Upper Flinton Road, south of Flinton and north of Highway 7.
The helicopter crashed a little before 12:30 p.m in the area of Upper Flinton Road, south of Flinton and north of Highway 7 in the Municipality of Tweed.
The names of the victims will not be released until their families have been notified, Hydro One said in a statement released shortly after 2 p.m.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time,” the statement said. “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 counselling and support.”
The OPP emergency response team responded to the crash with the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre [3] from Canadian Forces Base Trenton, the OPP forensic identification and canine units and Ornge Air Ambulance.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been notified and will be conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, the OPP said.
In a tweet Thursday afternoon, the Transportation Safety Board confirmed that its investigators were on their way to the crash scene. The board said the helicopter was a 1999 Aerospatiale AS 350 B-2.
At approximately 12 pm, Ornge was requested to respond to a helicopter crash near Tweed, ON. An Ornge air ambulance landed on scene, however, we did not transport any patients. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of the crew on board.
Media: Please contact OPP for info.
— Ornge (@Ornge) December 14, 2017 [4]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his condolences to the victims of the crash on Twitter shortly before 3 p.m.
Tragic news from eastern Ontario today. My deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed in the helicopter crash near Tweed.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 14, 2017 [5]