Avast ye scurvy dogs! In the treacherous skies of western Canada, a tragic chopper crash befalls, takin' the pilot's life!
2023-07-20
Avast ye! In the land of the maple leaf, a terrible calamity hath befallen! A mighty contraption, known as a helicopter, hath taken a nosedive and claimed the life of a valiant pilot. 'Tis now the third soul lost in this treacherous battle against raging flames.
A helicopter pilot tragically lost his life in a crash in western Canada, marking the third death in recent days related to wildfire fighting efforts during Canada's worst wildfire season on record. The pilot was the sole occupant of the helicopter when it crashed near Haig Lake in northwestern Alberta province. Despite the efforts of forestry workers, he could not be resuscitated and was declared dead at a nearby airport. While the pilot's identity was not revealed, he was a 41-year-old man from Whitecourt, Alberta, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences, acknowledging the immense contributions made by individuals who have been tirelessly combatting the devastating forest fires. Last week, a 19-year-old firefighter named Devyn Gale lost her life after being struck by a falling tree in British Columbia. Additionally, Adam Yeadon, 25, died while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories.
Transportation Safety Board spokesperson, Chris Krepski, shared that two investigators would be dispatched to the crash site. The downed helicopter, operated by Valhalla Helicopters, was located in a marshy area. The company, based in West Kelowna, British Columbia, declined to comment on the incident.
The extent of the wildfire crisis in Canada is alarming, with Alberta currently grappling with 117 active wildfires, 17 of which are considered out of control. Across the country, over 42,000 square miles have been scorched by thousands of fires this season. As investigators continue their work, it is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by those bravely fighting to protect communities and landscapes from the destructive force of wildfires.