Havre-Aux-Maisons, Quebec – At least 7 people have been reported dead from a small plane crash in eastern Quebec, on Tuesday. The seventh person suffered heart problems and was reported dead later, a medical worker said.
The small plane was a Mitsubishi turboprop, which appears to have crashed short of a runway in the Iles-de-la-Madeleine. Further investigation is needed to determine the cause of the accident and will be held by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
“The crash took place in a field on approach to the airport,” said Quebec provincial police Sgt. Daniel Thibodeau.
In addition, weather in the area has been described as “not ideal” for flying by Thibodeau. Environment Canada had issued an alert and warned people from the strong winds in the region. It is known that the plane had taken off from the St-Hubert regional airport south of Montreal, early in the morning.
Even though there is no official information referred to the belonging of the plane from authorities yet, the plane is believed to have belonged to a private company, as reported by the Washington Post.
Former Canadian cabinet minister probably on board
Local media from Canada have said that former federal cabinet minister, Jean Lapierre, and his family were on board of the plane. According to Toronto Sun, rescue crews at the scene are having troubles reaching the crash site due to windy weather.
Lapierre was traveling to the island to attend his father’s funeral, who died last week at age 83 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. There is no confirmation from his employers whether in fact he and his family were on the tragic event but it is thought to be very likely.
The former minister originally served in the House of Commons from 1970 to 1993 and later served in the Bloc Quebecois caucus. He left the Bloc in the 1990s and rejoined the federal Liberals, according to CTV News.
Source: The Washington Post