Based on coverage from CBC, Castanet, The Globe and Mail, CityNews Halifax, WinnipegSun, and Winnipeg Free Press.
In a tragic turn of events, a small community in northern Manitoba is grappling with the loss of four of its members following a plane crash on Saturday evening. The victims, two men aged 53 and 49, and two women, both 50, were from St. Theresa Point First Nation. They were on a bush plane headed to Makepeace Lake, a trip that was meant to be a routine journey to their traditional hunting grounds. Instead, it ended in heartbreak about 40 kilometres south of their destination.
The crash site was located thanks to an iPhone satellite emergency crash notification service, which provided precise coordinates to the RCMP. With this information, officers chartered a helicopter to reach the remote crash location. It was no easy feat; the helicopter had to land 500 metres away, forcing officers to hike to the scene in the dark. Search-and-rescue personnel from CFB Trenton also parachuted in to assist.
The plane, a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver, is a single-engine float plane with a storied history dating back to the 1940s. Despite its reputation for reliability, this particular flight ended in tragedy. The pilot, a 20-year-old man, survived with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was the only survivor.
The crash has left the tight-knit community of St. Theresa Point in shock. Chief Raymond Flett expressed the community's devastation, noting that the deceased were two couples, each with young children. "It’s very devastating, very painful to have informed the families," Flett said. "Everybody’s still in shock."
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and other Indigenous organizations have extended their condolences, emphasizing the profound impact of the loss on the community. "We grieve with you," read a statement from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. "The loss of community members in such a sudden and devastating way is felt across all our Nations."
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the crash, though the cause remains undetermined. The board is still deciding whether to send investigators to the site. Meanwhile, the RCMP continues its own investigation, hoping to provide answers to the grieving families.
This incident marks yet another tragedy in a series of small-plane crashes in Manitoba this year. Seven people have died in such crashes, underscoring the risks associated with flying in remote areas where air travel is often the only viable option.
As the community of St. Theresa Point mourns, they are supported by a network of Indigenous leaders and organizations committed to standing with them through this difficult time. The loss is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by remote communities and the enduring strength of their cultural ties, even in the face of such adversity.
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