Two Die in Helicopter Crash

RCMP say two people working to fix power lines have died in a helicopter crash on the North Saskatchewan River near Paynton, Sask.

A witness told CTV News he saw the helicopter suddenly nosedive. Paynton is about 190 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. The STARS helicopter left the scene shortly before 6 p.m.

Battleford fire and rescue launch rescue boat.

The two, a 55 year old man from Campbell River who was piloting the helicopter and a 30 year old man from Prince Albert, worked for Oceanview Helicopters in Powell River, BC.

A SaskPower spokesperson confirmed the company contracted the helicopter to work on power lines – specifically, to install safety markers on new power lines between Edam and Maidstone. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both gentlemen”, Oceanview Helicopters co-owners James Mode and Bill Chernoff wrote in a statement.

The statement noted that they have been in touch with the pilot’s family and are in communication with the passenger’s employer.

They said the helicopter “was being used for complex and highly specialized work at the time of the incident” adding they didn’t want to speculate on the cause of the crash.

Two men are dead after the helicopter they were in crashed Thursday afternoon. STARS was not required to transport any patients.

He said crews from LRS also transported four individuals back to shore after they had swam or walked to the wreck in what was believed to be an attempt to help. Investigators are expected to arrive Friday night and open their investigation Saturday. Members will be interviewing witnesses, collecting data and taking pictures.