3 people killed in plane crash near Chilliwack airport
Posted October 6, 2023 2:38 pm.
Last Updated October 6, 2023 11:27 pm.
Police say three people have died after a small plane crashed near the Chilliwack Municipal Airport Friday afternoon.
Chilliwack RCMP Sgt. Krista Vrolyk confirms that three people on board the plane that crashed into a forested area on Young Road around 2 p.m. have died. She says the forest presented difficult conditions for first responders as they made their way to the crash site.
“It was a challenging scene because the location is inhabited by thick blackberry and bramble bushes, so first responders actually ended up using mattresses to navigate their way over those brambles in order to access the plane and the wreckage,” Vrolyk explained.
“One of those scenes where you got to make do with what you’ve got to get to the people in need, and unfortunately we weren’t able to … we’re dealing with three people who lost their lives, which is obviously very tragic.”
Mounties say the BC Coroners Service and Transportation Safety Board are both investigating.
The airport confirmed to CityNews just after 2:30 p.m. that a plane had crashed off the property, and that emergency crews were responding. Vrolyk says the plane crash didn’t affect operations at the airport.
One man says he couldn’t believe the plane didn’t hit the Chilliwack Motor Inn, noting the crash’s proximity to the building.
“Unbelievable. I can’t believe it didn’t. It was about 10, 15 feet away. Incredible,” he said.
“The proximity to the building was a huge concern … if it had crashed into the building, it would have been a different outcome,” Vrolyk added.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) says it deployed a team to the area to investigate the incident.
Witnesses told CityNews the area around the south side of the airport was filled with emergency crews.
“They’re all over the place. Police cars, ambulances,” said Lynne Radke, who works at a nearby gas station. “There’s a motel in between us and where it happened.”
She says emergency vehicles started showing up in the area just after 2 p.m.
With files from Pippa Norman and James Paracy
