One body has been recovered and another five people are missing after a Canadian Navy helicopter went down into the Ionian Sea off Greece.
The helicopter—a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone—went down during a NATO training exercise last night. Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance says the helicopter’s flight recorders broke away from the wreckage and floated with a beacon that led a ship to recover them.
The six victims are from British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
"As announced, 1 CAF member is deceased & 5 missing following a helicopter crash in the Ionian Sea. On behalf of the entire CAF I send our deepest condolences to her family, friends & shipmates. May her memory be a source of comfort & inspiration to us all. We will remember." JV pic.twitter.com/liB5KFnBgE
— General Jonathan Vance (@CDS_Canada_CEMD) April 30, 2020
The one body recovered is that of Abbigail Cowbrough, a 23-year-old sub-lieutenant and engineer aboard the HMCS Fredericton.
The others confirmed missing are:
- Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, Pilot, originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
- Captain Kevin Hagen, Pilot, originally from Nanaimo, British Columbia
- Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Air Combat Systems Officer, originally from Trois-Rivières, Québec
- Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, Naval Warfare Officer, originally from Truro, Nova Scotia
- Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator, originally from Guelph, Ontario
Cyclone helicopters carry a crew of four, including two pilots, a tactical operator, and a sensor operator, with space for several passengers. The Cyclone that went down on Wednesday was deployed with the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Fredericton.
Today, our hearts hurt for those who were on board the @CFOperations CH-148 Cyclone and their family, friends, comrades and community. We’re also sending thoughts of support to those on board the HMCS FREDERICTON and their loved ones during this exceptionally difficult time. pic.twitter.com/OwToS3hDMz
— RCMP, Nova Scotia (@RCMPNS) April 30, 2020
The CAF confirms we have contacted all primary family members of those who were on board the CH-148 Cyclone helicopter that was involved in an accident in the Mediterranean Sea. pic.twitter.com/5wVjRjboCl
— Canadian Armed Forces Operations (@CFOperations) April 30, 2020
