Six dead in N.W.T. plane crash, one survivor taken to hospital

FORT SMITH, N.W.T. — Six people died in a plane crash near the town of Fort Smith, while a lone survivor was taken to hospital, the Northwest Territories coroner’s office said Wednesday.

Four passengers and two crew members from Northwestern Air Lease were killed on the Tuesday morning flight headed to the Diavik Diamond Mine, some 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, the coroner’s office said in a written statement.

“There was one survivor who was taken to the Fort Smith Health Centre and then medevaced to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife,” the statement read.

“The NWT Coroner Service is in the community and will be working with local resources to access the site and begin the recovery process.”

The plane crashed after takeoff near the banks of the Slave River, west of Fort Smith, which lies along the territorial boundary with Alberta.

Rescuers parachuted to the scene Tuesday. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, which involved a British Aerospace Jetstream passenger plane

Town council offered help for community members who are grieving.

“We understand that you may not wish to be alone right now (and) that you may want to talk about it with others that are experiencing the same feelings of grief and trauma,” the council said in a written statement.

“There will be snacks, drinks, and friendly faces at the Community Recreation Centre as of 10 a.m. today, so feel free to drop by for a hot beverage and some conversation.”