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MONTREAL — Four people remained unaccounted for Saturday after a medical transport helicopter crashed on Quebec’s North Shore during a rescue operation.
The helicopter, 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.
The helicopter was in the process of a medical evacuation and crashed into a lake shortly after takeoff, a Transportation Safety Board of Canada spokesman said.
Raphaele Bourgault, a spokesperson for Airmedic, a 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.
The helicopter had five people on board — one passenger and four crew members.
Quebec provincial police Sgt. Élizabeth Marquis-Guy said one man was rescued and reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital. The condition of those on board the aircraft were not available.
Police have also called in the Royal Canadian Air Force for help.
Len Hickey with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax said a CC-130 Hercules and a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter were dispatched to help in ongoing search and rescue efforts in Lac Watshishou.
“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.
Earlier Saturday, Quebec provincial police said they planned to comb a wooded area in the region north of the community in the province’s Côte-Nord region.
A command post was set up and search specialists are on site. They are capable of searching on the water as well as by ground and in the air, Marquis-Guy said.
The TSB confirmed it has opened an investigation and provincial police are assisting.
“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
