Two killed in helicopter crash in Saskatchewan

RCMP are now on the scene of a helicopter crash near the North Saskatchewan river.

It happened north of Paynton, 57 kilometres northwest of North Battleford, at about 2 p.m. Thursday.

A press release from RCMP sent out Thursday evening had little information about the deceased, but noted the pilot, 55, hailed from Campbell River B.C., while the passenger, 35, was from Prince Albert. “All of a sudden I saw debris flying off the top of the chopper, and it just nosedived”, the witness said.

The initial investigation determined the two men were using the helicopter to access and fix power poles.

A spokesperson for STARS said the company’s paramedics helped emergency crews on the ground.

SaskPower confirmed that the helicopter was contracted to put aerial markers on a new power line crossing the North Saskatchewan River as part of buidling a new substation near the Village of Edam. STARS was not required to transport any patients.

“There was smoke coming out of it nearly instantly”, he said. “We never did see any flames”.