2009P1034
Date: 2009/07/22
Location: Kootenay River, Bc
Fatalities: 1
Injuries:
CADORS: 2009P1034
TSB: A09P0210
TSB O/C: 3
Working: Yes
News: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Rescue+crews+locate+helicopter+that+crashed+near+Creston/1821270/story.html
Rescue crews locate helicopter that crashed near Creston
Vancouver Sun and Canwest News Service
July 23, 2009
CRESTON, B.C. — Rescue crews in the East Kootenay region have located a helicopter that crashed Wednesday near Creston, killing a 35-year-old student pilot.
Searchers from Nelson Ground Search and Rescue using a remote camera located what is believed to be the helicopter in about 15 metres of water in the Kootenay River, Creston RCMP said Thursday in a press release.
It appears the pilot, the sole occupant, was still inside the helicopter.
"The RCMP "E" Division dive team is on scene and will be diving on the helicopter this morning," police said.
The BC Coroners Service and the Transportation Safety Board have begun their investigation in cooperation with the RCMP
The student pilot, who lived in Kelowna, was attending a flight school located in West Creston, according to the RCMP. His name has not been released.
Debris and air bubbles were located at the crash site which is in an area of swamps, dense brush and numerous small waterways, RCMP said in a statement.
RCMP received a call from the flight school shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday after a student pilot failed to return at the expected time. Police then received a report from a local resident that a helicopter had crashed into the Kootenay River between Kootenay Lake and Duck Lake in the Creston Valley.
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