By Nia Williams
British Columbia: Six people were killed when a small plane carrying Rio Tinto workers crashed near Fort Smith in Canada’s remote Northwest Territories, the NWT Coroner Service said on Wednesday (local time).
Four passengers and two Northwestern Air Lease crew members died in Tuesday’s crash, Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger said in a statement. Previously, Eggenberger confirmed there were fatalities but said officials would not be providing any further information until the next of kin were notified.
A file photo of one of Northwestern Air Lease’s BAE Jetstreams, which is able to carry 19 passengers.Credit: Photo: Northwestern Air Lease
There was one survivor who was treated at the Fort Smith Health Centre before being taken to hospital in the provincial capital Yellowknife.
The plane had been travelling from Fort Smith to Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine, 200 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle.
Three Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons supported search and rescue efforts for the British Aerospace Jetstream aircraft, which was found near the Slave River after losing contact shortly after take-off.
The aircraft is registered to Northwestern Air Lease, which is headquartered in Fort Smith, a small town of 2500 people.
Jakob Stausholm, chief executive officer of Rio Tinto, said the company was devastated by the crash.Credit: Bloomberg
The company did not respond to requests for comment it says on its website it has two types of BAE Jetstreams in its fleet, both able to carry 19 passengers.
Fort Smith’s mayor and council released a statement on Wednesday extending condolences to friends and family of those killed.
“These people are treasured members of our community and their loss touches everyone,” the statement said.
A team of investigators from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has been deployed to look into the accident.
Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said in a statement that the company was devastated by the crash.
“We are working closely with authorities and will help in any way we can with their efforts to find out exactly what has happened,” he said.
The premier of the Northwest Territories also put out a statement mourning those lost.
“It is with a heavy heart that I express my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who were aboard the Northwestern Air flight that crashed outside of Fort Smith today,” Premier R.J. Simpson said.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police did not respond to requests for comment.
Rio has been operating Diavik, the biggest diamond mine in Canada, since it started production in 2003, before taking full control in 2021.
The crash comes a day after three people were killed and four seriously injured in a helicopter crash in neighbouring British Columbia.
Reuters, Bloomberg
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