Image Credit: CFJC Today / File

By Canadian Press

No survivors

Four dead in helicopter crash in northwestern Alberta

Jan 2, 2021 | 10:48 AM

SPIRIT RIVER, Alta. – First responders and members of a tight-knit community in northwestern Alberta reacted with shock and sadness on Saturday after a deadly helicopter crash in their midst that killed four members of the same family.

RCMP Sgt. Shawn French said the New Year’s Day crash, which took place in a farmer’s field about 500 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, killed two adults and two children under the age of 18. Their names and home towns have not yet been released.

“It’s been a tough year, just with all the other stuff going on,” said RCMP Sgt. Shawn French, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “So I’m sure this will affect a lot of the people in the area quite heavily. It’s just one more tragedy heaped on other tragedy.”

French said the chopper, a Robinson R44, sent out an emergency signal on New Year’s Day at about 8:50 p.m.

Emergency responders found the aircraft in a farmer’s field in Birch Hills County, about 80 kilometres northeast of Grand Prairie, Alta.

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Fire Chief Tom Morgan of Birch Hills County said he was among the first responders who arrived at the scene of the crash.