Indigenous community in Kamloops pays tribute to injured Snowbird pilot

By Hana Mae Nassar

Posted May 22, 2020 9:05 am.

Last Updated May 22, 2020 9:08 am.

This article is more than 5 years old.

KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) – The pilot who survived a crash that killed one person was met by beating drums and a crowd on Thursday, as he continues to recover in hospital.

Captain Richard MacDougall suffered serious injuries when the CF Snowbird jet he was piloting went down in Kamloops last weekend.

“Thank you to our Indigenous brothers, sisters and Elders for this sentimental tribute to the @cfsnowbirds,” a post on Instagram by the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation reads. “Drummers included the Secwepemc Child and Family Services Drumming Group and were joined by the very brave, Capt. Richard MacDougall at RIH.”

In the days since the deadly crash, the community in Kamloops has come together in a big way to show support to not just one another, but to the family and friends of MacDougall and Captain Jennifer Casey — who was killed in the crash, as well as the military.

A memorial has been set up at the Kamloops airport where hearts, flowers, and messages of support adorn a chain link fence at the end of the runway.

There is also a petition circulating to name a street after Captain Casey, a former journalist who was a public affairs officer for the Snowbirds at the time of her death.

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