Reported plane crash in Fraser River linked to ‘overdue’ aircraft with 2 onboard
Posted June 7, 2020 12:36 pm.
Last Updated June 7, 2020 2:16 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) — A small plane carrying two people has been listed as “overdue” by the Boundary Bay Airport.
RCMP say the aircraft could be linked to their search for a possible downed plane in the Fraser River, near Maple Ridge.
RCMP Cpl. Chris Manseau says this overdue plane is similar in size and colour to the one a witness reported seeing go into the water Saturday afternoon.
“The initial flight plan submitted by the pilot did not take the plane in the vicinity of where it was apparently seen in the water,” Manseau tells NEWS 1130.
Multiple agencies have been investigating since a witness reported they thought they saw a plane go into the Fraser River near 287th street and Lougheed Highway Saturday.
As of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, there have been no confirmed sightings or recovery of any parts of the plane.
RCMP launched an air, water and ground search after receiving a call Saturday afternoon, but had found nothing by the evening.
“The Vancouver Police Department’s Marine Unit assisted by sending a vessel equipped with sonar searching capabilities and RCMP air services utilized their helicopter and began patrolling the area,” a release from the RCMP reads.
“Multiple frontline members and agencies, including Abbotsford Police Department and Maple Ridge Fire Search & Rescue were engaged assisting in the search. The Joint Rescue Coordination Center was contacted and organized search and rescue teams and boats looking for the possible downed plane.”
The search has involved police from at least four cities, and several search and rescue teams.
Manseau adds officers have notified the families of those onboard the “overdue” plane as the search continues Sunday.
If you have any information about the incident, call the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604.463.6251.
