LILLOOET, BC – The Lillooet RCMP assisted the Ministry of Forests and Lands Wildfire Protection Branch at the Jade Mountain Wildfire in the Yalakom Valley near Lillooet with the recovery of the occupants involved in a helicopter crash earlier today at approximately 12:20, Thursday July 29th, 2010. Both male crew members were injured in the crash however were conscious when recovered.

The preliminary information that can be confirmed is that the helicopter, a Bell 214B operated by Transwest Helicopters Ltd, was conducting water bucketing on the Jade Mountain Wildfire at an active edge of the fire area near Porcupine Creek, when it went down.

A second helicopter was in the immediate area and observed the incident and was able to immediately relay the incident information in order to activate an emergency extraction of the injured crew.

The 61 yr old pilot from Vernon and the 27 yr old co-pilot of Abbostford BC received stabilizing first aid at the crash site and were air lifted to Lillooet to an awaiting BC Air Ambulance in order to Air Evac them to Kamloops Inlands Hospital for full assessment of their injuries and condition.

“Extraction crews worked very quickly in getting to the two men and moving them out of further harms way, given the danger that the crash location posed. It was essentially at the fire’s edge in a very highly active fire area. Although a somber reminder of the inherent risk involved in the carrying out of these fire fighting duties all agencies and the community at large were relieved to hear that the two men were recovered injured but alive, were all very thankful for that.” stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk

“The investigation of the crash will be conducted by Transport Canada with the assistance of the agencies involved. Given the location of the crash and the unpredictability of the fire activity, it remains to be seen as to what exactly will remain of the site and the machine” added Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

UPDATE:

RCMP confirm that the two crew members involved in today’s helicopter crash at the Jade Mountain Wildfire Yalakom Valley near Lillooet BC, suffered relatively minor injuries.

“We would like to update the situation by confirming that the 27 yr old co-pilot involved in this afternoon’s helicopter crash was checked out and had bumps and bruises cleaned up and was released at Lillooet. The 61 yr old pilot suffered a concussion and leg injury only. Transwest Helicopters Ltd confirmed that both were in very good spirits” stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

Transwest Helicopters Ltd are anticipating being able to remove the wreckage on Friday July 30th given the current fire conditions at the crash site late today.