Canadian Dept. of National Defence confirms two Royal Canadian Air Force members were killed in helicopter crash

CNN  — 

The Canadian Department of National Defense has confirmed 2 Royal Canadian Air Force members who went missing successful a chopper clang person died.

A Chinook chopper crashed into the Ottawa River with 4 radical connected committee during an aboriginal greeting grooming formation Tuesday.

Two survivors were recovered and taken to Pembroke Hospital with insignificant injuries, according to a quality merchandise Wednesday from the Defense Department. Both person since been released and are being monitored by Canadian Armed Forces aesculapian personnel, the merchandise said.

“I articulation each Canadians successful mourning the nonaccomplishment of 2 Royal Canadian Air Force members from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron,” Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said. “These brave Canadian Armed Forces members served Canada with honour, dedication, and immeasurable courage. I widen my deepest condolences to their loved ones. I besides nonstop my prayers to the 2 members injured successful the crash, who are present recovering. We are with you.”

About 110 Canadian Armed Forces members scoured the stream and its banks for the 2 missing unit members, according to the Defense Department. An Ontario Provincial Police marine and dive portion and the Petawawa and Pembroke occurrence departments besides helped, according to the release. The missing unit members’ bodies were recovered Tuesday evening, according to a quality release.

“There are nary words to picture a nonaccomplishment arsenic tragic arsenic this,” said Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. “On behalf of the full Air Force household … I connection our deepest condolences and enactment to the families, friends and loved ones of each those affected by this accident.”

The mishap is present nether probe by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Directorate of Flight Safety. “Further accusation astir the mishap itself volition not beryllium released to sphere the integrity of this autarkic investigation,” according to the Defense Department.