The rugged terrain of northern Quebec has become the center of an intensive search operation after an Airmedic helicopter carrying four people disappeared from radar Wednesday evening. Provincial police and Canadian Armed Forces personnel are battling harsh weather conditions in a race against time to locate the missing aircraft and its occupants.
The Bell 429 helicopter vanished while on a medical evacuation mission near Baie-Comeau, approximately 400 kilometers northeast of Quebec City. Communication with the aircraft was lost shortly after 8:30 p.m. in an area known for its challenging topography of dense forest and steep hills.
“Every minute counts in these situations,” said François Rivard, Airmedic’s Director of Operations. “Our teams are working alongside government agencies with every available resource to locate our colleagues.”
Among those missing are two pilots and two paramedics, all experienced professionals with the private air ambulance service. Airmedic has been providing emergency medical transport across Quebec for over a decade, often serving as a critical lifeline for remote communities.
Weather conditions have significantly hampered search efforts, with low visibility, high winds, and scattered thunderstorms sweeping through the region. Canadian Armed Forces deployed a CC-130 Hercules aircraft from Trenton, Ontario overnight, equipped with specialized search technology.
“The search area covers approximately 1,200 square kilometers of particularly challenging terrain,” explained Major Jean Tremblay of the Canadian Armed Forces. “We’re utilizing infrared imaging and signal detection equipment to identify any signs of the aircraft.”
Provincial police have established a command center in Baie-Comeau, coordinating ground teams prepared to deploy once the helicopter’s location is narrowed down. Meanwhile, Airmedic has grounded its remaining fleet as a precautionary measure while the company works with Transportation Safety Board officials to determine potential causes for the disappearance.
This incident follows concerning statistics regarding helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) safety. According to Transport Canada data, medical evacuation flights face higher risk profiles due to their urgent nature and often challenging operating environments.
Family members of the missing crew have gathered at Airmedic’s Montreal headquarters, where company officials are providing regular updates on the search operation. Quebec Premier François Legault expressed his concern on social media, stating that “all provincial resources are being mobilized to support this critical rescue mission.”
As the search enters its second day, hope remains that the aircraft may have made an emergency landing in the remote wilderness. Survival equipment is standard on all Airmedic helicopters, including emergency locator transmitters, though no signals have been detected thus far.
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