News Releases

A Buffalo aircraft and Cormorant helicopter from 19 Wing, along with the Coast Guard ship Vector, were tasked to the scene of a helicopter crash at Knight Inlet, in the mouth of the Franklin River Basin in B.C., Wednesday night, 25 October. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria launched the Buffalo and Cormorant crews to the site, where the pilot and two passengers awaited rescue efforts.

The Air Force assets made their way through terrible weather to the crash site. The Buffalo arrived on scene first and provided top cover, communications and night illumination for the Cormorant crew. The Coast Guard Ship Vector provided weather updates and communications throughout the rescue effort.

The Cormorant crew flew through the valley, up steep inclines, with sheer cliffs and tall trees on either side, while fighting the extreme weather conditions. They made several attempts to get into the site, however low cloud, sleet, snow and wind prevented their initial attempts. Unable to get close, they landed to reassess the situation. At that time the fog lifted enough for the crew to see a flashlight being waved at them from a waterfall up the cliff.

"They had survival gear, including a radio and the flashlight, which was key," said Master Cpl. Kent Gulliford, search and rescue technician. "We got back in the air and the pilots took us into a hover about 150 feet above the site."

"We followed the flashlight and ELT, flying up along the waterfall approximately 1400 feet," said Capt. Sean Morris, aircraft commander. "We had to go up vertically, through cloud, making our way tree by tree through the snow and wind."

Once in position, Master Cpl. Gulliford was hoisted down to the crash site, where the three survivors were in a creek under the waterfall. "They had managed to start a fire with paper towel and some dry wood they could find in the area. The helicopter was smashed up close by, but all three had survived."

The area is at the end of a ‘box' canyon, with waterfalls on many stepped cliffs, one of which was where the survivors waited.

The pilot was the first to be loaded into the basket and hoisted to the helicopter. The two passengers then doubled up in the basket on the next hoist. They were conscious and relayed that they had been in the area doing an assessment when something went horribly wrong. The helicopter had flipped when one of the passengers was trying to exit the helicopter. Their survival skills had kept them alive in the terrible weather and surrounding conditions.

Once on board, the SAR Techs began medical protocols and warmed their patients.

"The pilots did an outstanding job of getting us there," said Sgt. Yves St. Denis, SAR Tech. "This was some of the worse weather that I have flown in and they were remarkable. The flight engineer and pilots kept the hover in fog, with very little for reference, but we knew there were cliffs and trees very close."

"Our equipment was also integral to this mission," added Master Cpl. Gulliford. "The night-vision goggles and radar were excellent. Essential. But the pilots of this powerful helicopter were who got us in and out safely."

The Cormorant returned to Comox and the pilot and passengers of the helicopter crash were transferred to St. Joseph's General Hospital via ambulance.

No further information is known on the condition of the patients.

Cormorant crew: Capt. Sean Morris, aircraft commander, Capt. Rob Mulholland, first officer, Cpl. Derek Agnew, flight engineer, Sgt Yves St. Denis and Master Cpl. Kent Gulliford, SAR Techs.

Buffalo crew: Capt. Matt MacMillan, aircraft commander, Capt. Ryan Port, first officer, Capt Rudy de Vries Stadelaar, navigator, Master Cpl. Larry McKieve, Master Cpls. Paul Lloyd and Mark Salesse, SAR Techs.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: There are no DND images from this mission

19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Captain Cheryl Robinson (250) 339-8201.

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria): (250) 363 2995.