MONTREAL — Quebec provincial police launched a search operation Saturday after a helicopter crash in northeastern Quebec that left four people unaccounted for.
They said the aircraft operated by Airmedic was involved in an accident around 10:30 p.m. on Friday near Natashquan, Que., a little more than 1,000 kilometres northeast of Montreal.
A Transportation Safety Board of Canada spokesman said the helicopter was in the process of a medical evacuation and crashed into a lake shortly after takeoff.
Len Hickey with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax said its staff are also assisting in the incident near Lac Watshishou.
He said in an emailed response a CC-130 Hercules as well as a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter were dispatched to help in ongoing search and rescue efforts.
"Search and rescue technicians are also planning to dive in the vicinity of the last known location of the helicopter as part of ongoing efforts," Hickey said.
Quebec provincial police Sgt. Élizabeth Marquis-Guy said five people were aboard the chopper, but one man was rescued and reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital.
The four others remained missing on Saturday and Hickey added the condition of those on board the aircraft are not available.
Earlier Saturday, provincial police said they planned to comb a wooded area in the region north of the community in the province's Côte-Nord region.
Raphaele Bourgault, a spokesperson from the Longueuil, Que.-based air medical transport firm, confirmed the helicopter was part of the company fleet and said emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene.
"Airmedic staff are working closely with authorities and first responders to manage the situation and provide the necessary assistance," Bourgault said in an emailed statement.
"Airmedic will release further information as soon as it is confirmed."
Bourgault said the company's thoughts and concerns are with those affected by the crash.
Airmedic specializes in air medical transport and operates both planes and helicopters as part of its fleet. It is a private company that offers its services across Canada.
A command post was set up and search specialists are on site and are capable of searching on the water as well as by ground and in the air.
The TSB has opened an investigation with the assistance of provincial police.
"The TSB is in contact with the operator and others involved and is collecting information," TSB spokesman Nic Defalco said in an emailed response.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.
Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press
