Five killed in whale-watching accident

The Leviathan II was towed by a Canadian Coast Guard boat to the north side of Vargas Island, Poisson said, where it was secured Monday, partially submerged.

A woman and four men aged between 18 and 76 were killed, the British Columbia Coroner’s Service confirmed.

The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria has confirmed a whale watching vessel in Tofino known as MV Leviathan II has sunk. Owner Jamie Bray issued a statement early Monday saying his company is “doing everything we can to assist our passengers and staff through this hard time”.

“Everyone is just thinking so very much about all the people who are involved”, she said.

Canada’s Transportation Safety Board said its investigation into the incident could take several months.

“I spoke with one of our community members, you could really feel the sadness in the air, this person I talked to said ‘I feel like crying'”.

Clarence Smith said they were able to help rescue a number of people, including a pregnant woman and a woman with a broken leg.

The Ocean Thunder did not have an emergency beacon or a VHF radio transmitter, and it was only after the boat failed to return to Tofino that search and rescue crews were called.

“To the best of our knowledge there was no distress call”.

“There was no indication yesterday that would say that it was any different than any other tour that happens either in the spring or the fall”.

Forde said Jamie’s Whaling Station was one of the first of its kind off Vancouver Island and had been around for many years.

At least five Briton’s died in the incident, while 21 passengers and crew were rescued. “We are cooperating with investigators to determine exactly what happened”. “They were covered in diesel”.

Company owner Jamie Bray said they were all “traumatised” and said the 20m (65ft) boat, Leviathan II, had operated for 20 years “with an absolutely ideal safety record”.

“It has been a tragic day”.

Canadian broadcaster CBC reported that because of the size of the boat passengers would not normally be requested to wear life jackets while on board.

“They were in absolute shock”, said Simpson.

Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by this awful accident”. “We are also conducting a search to confirm that we have recovered everybody”, the rescue center said in a recorded message. “I know first-hand of this coastal area’s natural beauty and the many people who visit here from all around the world”, he said.

“All our attention now is on our passengers and crew so we’ll be providing information as soon as the time is appropriate”.

Authorities were contacting their families last night ahead of identifying them.

Tofino, with about 1,900 people, is a well-known eco-tourist destination because of whales living off the island, part of British Columbia. DFAT said it was providing consular assistance to the man’s family.

A community potluck gathering will take place in Tofino on Monday evening as residents gather to comfort one another.

On Sunday, Ahousaht First Nation Coun. A mayday was put out about a boat that had gone down. “This is an area the boat goes to every day”.

When two other boats discovered the Sharp Point, it was beached with the engine still running at high speed. “People here get together to help when things like this happen”.