Members killed in military helicopter crash near Garrison Petawawa, PM says

An unspecified number of crew members were killed when a military helicopter crashed into the Ottawa River during a training flight early Tuesday morning, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Two crew members had been reported missing earlier in the day, while two others suffered non life-threatening injuries.

The incident happened around 12:10 a.m. ET Tuesday about 150 kilometres northwest of downtown Ottawa, according to a tweet from the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Four Canadian Armed Forces personnel were on board the CH-147 Chinook at the time, according to a tweet from Anita Anand, minister of national defence.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trudeau said he spoke to Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre overnight and offered his condolences.

“I was happy to speak with the chief of defence staff last night to express my condolences to the families and colleagues of the members who have been killed,” Trudeau said.

“The fact is there will be a thorough investigation, there will be answers to give, but right now we’re focusing on notification of families and support.”

Neither military nor defence officials have confirmed any crew members were killed or are presumed dead. Defence officials said late Tuesday afternoon search and recovery efforts are ongoing.

Renfrew County paramedics said it treated two patients with non life-threatening injuries, who were then taken to hospital.

The two missing crew members are from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, according to a news release from DND. 

The military says this type of helicopter is used to move people and equipment and this squadron is based out of Petawawa. It’s the air force’s only CH-147F Chinook squadron.

Crash leads to local water restrictions

First responders conducting search and rescue efforts in the area include military members — with air support out of Petawawa and 8 Wing Trenton — Ontario Provincial Police and local firefighters.

WATCH | Some of the search on the water: 

Personnel aboard fire boat search Ottawa River near Garrison Petawawa

Two air personnel are missing after a military helicopter crashed into the Ottawa River near Garrison Petawawa earlier that morning.

DND has asked boaters to avoid the river near the base and its Black Bear Beach to avoid “potentially hazardous materials from the aircraft” and preserve the crash scene.

The Town of Petawawa says it has stopped taking water from the Ottawa River to its water treatment plant as a precaution and has banned non-essential watering, such as for lawns or gardens.

John Felix, Petawawa’s director of public works, said the town is pulling water from Pembroke, which has three water tanks, and expects this to continue for up to four days.

He said the intake pipe in the river is 400 metres offshore and about seven metres deep.

“Until we know for sure that the river itself is cleared and we’re good to go, we’ll start resuming operations that we normally do and stop pulling so much from the city of Pembroke.”

WATCH | PM Trudeau sends his thoughts to the military:

Trudeau offers condolences after CAF members killed in helicopter crash

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the crash of a military helicopter into the Ottawa River will receive a ‘thorough investigation.’

Neighbouring Laurentian Valley and Pembroke are asking residents to conserve water because of high demand “as we assist our (neighbours) with an ongoing Emergency.” 

Petawawa Mayor Gary Serviss said everybody in the town will be affected by the incident — saying Chinook helicopters are “part of the fabric of the town.”

“It’s going to be an emotional next couple of days,” he said.

“The community and the garrison will get together, will bond and see if we can help each other through this terrible situation.”