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The decision by the U.S. Coast Guard to end the search for the crew and passengers of a medical transport jet out of Hamilton means it’s likely that the four Canadians and two Bermudians on board didn’t survive, says the company that operated the jet.
Latitude Air Ambulance issued a statement late Sunday night, saying hope of finding survivors from the downed Gulfstream G100 aircraft appeared to be gone.
“It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the decision by the United States Coast Guard to conclude active search and rescue operations and transition to recovery efforts,” Latitude said in its statement.
“Given the information shared by authorities and the conclusion of the search and rescue phase, we must now face the heartbreaking reality that the four members of our Latitude team, our patient and the patient’s family escort, who were aboard…are presumed to have died.”
The Coast Guard and National Guard had used fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to search a huge area of 11,500 square kilometres since about 2 a.m. Saturday when the Coast Guard said it was contacted by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration that contact had been lost with the Gulfstream aircraft. The jet, which had flown out of Hamilton, was travelling from Bermuda to Boston with a patient and a family member along with the crew.
Sunday morning, the Coast Guard said debris from the jet had been found off Nantucket. Sunday night, the Coast Guard decided to end the search.
“Suspending a search is not an easy decision,” Rear Adm. Matthew Lake, commander of the Northeast District, said Sunday night. We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and our gratitude for our partner agencies who helped support search efforts.
Debris was recovered by Coast Guard
Sunday morning, Lake said the Coast Guard was in the process of working with Massachusetts authorities to get some craft out in the area that are equipped with sonar to be able to do some detection on the seabed floor. He said the water was about 80 to 90 feet deep in the area.
Latitude said its thoughts are first and foremost with the families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues of the people on the jet.
“Our four crew members were valued members of the Latitude family. They dedicated themselves to providing care to people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and they were carrying out that mission when this tragedy occurred,” the company said.
“We are grieving their loss deeply and will continue to support their families and our employees through the difficult days ahead.”
The names of the crew and the passengers have not yet been released.
“We extend that same care and compassion to the family and loved ones of our patient and family escort,” Latitude said. “We ask that the privacy of all of the families involved be respected as they grieve.”
The company said it will continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and all other relevant authorities as recovery efforts and the investigation proceed.
“Determining the circumstances and cause of an aviation accident is a careful and methodical process, and we will not speculate about what occurred,” the company said.
Latitude said it was “deeply grateful to the United States Coast Guard and to the air traffic controllers, search and rescue crews, first responders, government agencies and others in Canada, the United States and Bermuda who worked tirelessly in the search” for those aboard the jet.
“Their professionalism, determination, and compassion will never be forgotten.”
Peter Byl, president of Latitude, said the tragedy is an “unimaginable loss for our Latitude family and for everyone who loved the six people” aboard the jet.
“Our focus now is on supporting their families, supporting our people and assisting the authorities. We will honour our colleagues by remembering the care, professionalism, and commitment they brought to their work every day.”
The company said it may provide further relevant information when it is confirmed by the appropriate authorities and can be shared with respect for the families involved.