A recovery effort is currently underway for the wreckage of an air ambulance from Ontario that went missing last Saturday off the coast of Nantucket, Mass. The aircraft had six people on board, including four Canadians.
Search teams found a debris field late Saturday and identified parts of the Gulf Stream G100 jet, but the four crew members and two passengers from Bermuda have not yet been located.
The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, often referred to as the black box, are also still missing. These devices could provide investigators with crucial information about what led to the jet crashing into the ocean during its final moments of flight from Bermuda to Boston.
“The two recorders are a key element to determining what happened during the occurrence,” said Liam Mac Donald, who is handling media relations for Canada’s Transportation Safety Board, the main agency investigating the crash.
“While it’s possible to investigate without the black box, those recorders hold a lot of information that would greatly assist in our investigation,” he told on Thursday. He added that his agency is working with the U. S. National Transportation Safety Board and other local agencies in searching for the jet.
On Thursday, TSB announced they were sending a team to Massachusetts to look into the loss of the jet operated by Latitude Air Ambulance based at Hamilton International Airport. The company referred to this aircraft as Heartbeat 104.
According to the U. S. Coast Guard, those onboard included Captain Philip Gregory Childerhose from Oakville, first officer Thomas Henry Farquhar from Brantford, Niagara nurse Sarah Jane Paton, and respiratory therapist Jolene Beth Weir from Whitby.
They were transporting Bermudians Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66 years old, and her 41-year-old son Sergio Wayne Lottimore.
‘Heartbreaking reality’
If they manage to recover the aircraft, additional experts might be needed to help examine what’s left of it. Some pieces may even be sent to TSB’s engineering lab in Ottawa for further analysis.
A large area measuring 11,500 square kilometers off Nantucket was searched beginning at 2 a. m. Saturday after air traffic controllers reported losing contact with the Gulfstream aircraft per notification from the U. S. Federal Aviation Administration.
When search efforts were called off on Sunday evening, Latitude acknowledged it was time to face “the heartbreaking reality” that both crew members and passengers likely perished when they lost their jet.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy expressed her sorrow on Thursday regarding Weir being among those lost in this tragedy. “Jolene and her husband raised their family in Whitby; I know this heartbreaking news will be felt by many in our community,” she stated.
Latitude president Peter Byl shared that Weir “was a presence unlike any other. Her incredible ability to care for and love others extended not only to her patients but showed even more in her most favorite roles as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.”
Crew member traveled worldwide
Mackenzie Weir mentioned on Instagram that her mom had spent six years traveling around bringing patients access to necessary medical services.
“She loved her family, friends, nature, camping, Starbucks coffee breaks with Taylor Swift music playing softly in background while keeping everything tidy at home – along with world travels,” she wrote online. “This job was her dream job combining caring for others while exploring new places.”
“She enjoyed sharing stories with everyone she met; making sure they felt good before thinking about herself.”
A memorial service honoring Weir is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 17 at 2 p. m., taking place at Embassy Church located at 416 Taunton Road West in Oshawa.
The Ontario Nurses’ Association announced on Thursday that many will feel Paton’s absence deeply too since she worked previously at Welland hospital emergency department then transferred over into Marotta Family Hospital ICU situated within St. Catharines area.
The U. S. Coast Guard has identified two Bermuda residents aboard medical transport jet; which included Marilyn Lavonne Bean aged sixty-six pictured left alongside forty-one year old son named Sergio Wayne Lottimore (Image credits : Bermuda Broadcasting Company)
“To know her was definitely loving every moment spent together,” according association’s statement.” She radiated warmth through kindness paired up alongside unmatched energy given towards friends, family members plus patients alike; indeed an extraordinary nurse whose dedication towards helping others landed right into medivac transport nursing – something truly dear toward heart.”
The association emphasized how Paton regularly brought snacks along therapy animals meant solely brighten coworkers’ day while being enthusiastic supporter behind Buffalo Bills Philadelphia Eagles !
“Sarah impacted countless lives-not just as nurse or colleague-but also friend. There simply isn’t anyone like her & generosity spread joy everywhere she roamed reminding us all lead life fullest.”
Passionforlife wasapparent h2 >At Prairie Collegein Alberta , where Farquhar graduatedfrom Prairie Aviation Training Centre2021 , President&CEOMark Maxwell revealedhis passinghas created voidwithinheartsmany“. Wetogetherwith Farqhuarfamily, wife Kayla, loved ones mournedloss ”. p >Dallas Derksen, directorflightcentrementionedthat Farqar’s zestforlifewasevidenttoeveryonearoundhim. P >
“Tommy remains fondly remembered throughout campusasbrightpresencealwayssharingwarmthwhileenhancingchapelservicesaddingmusical talents.” P >Inhonorof his memory, Farquhar’s relativesestablished Tommy Farquhar Aviation Scholarship Fundatthecollegewhichaimstoassistaspiringpilotssharingpassionaviationalignedhelpingothersaccordingtoinstitutional statement.” P >
Latitude’s Byl noted Childerhosewas“manofgreatintegrityincrediblykindheartedextremelypassionateaboutaviation. Dedicatedtowardfriends, familycolleagues, touchedheartsofeveryoneencounteredofferingassistancewhenneeded.”
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