MOOSONEE, ON, May 31, 2013 /CNW/ - The James Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is presently assisting with the investigation into the overnight crash of an ORNGE Air Ambulance which took the lives of two pilots and two paramedics who were onboard.
This morning shortly after 6:00AM EDT, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) from Trenton, Ontario attended an area east of the Moosonee Airport, where they located the downed helicopter.
From the preliminary investigation at the scene, OPP investigators can confirm that the air ambulance took off from the Moosonee Airport shortly after midnight and was en route to Attawapiskat. For reasons unknown at this time, the helicopter crashed shortly after take-off in an area that is only accessible by air.
At present, OPP investigators are at the scene and are being assisted by members of the North East Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the OPP Forensic Identification Unit. The Northeast Regional Coroner's Office has also been contacted and is responding to the scene and will be assisted by the OPP.
Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) have been notified and are responding to the scene where they will investigate the cause of this crash.
Further details will be made available as the investigation continues.
SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police
Sergeant Peter Leon
Phone: (705) 330-3738
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