By paNOW Staff

Multiple injuries following plane crash in Fond du Lac

Dec 13, 2017 | 7:25 PM

A fixed-wing plane carrying 22 passengers and three crew members crashed shortly after take-off from the Fond du Lac Airport Wednesday evening, according to RCMP.

The ATR-42 belonged to West Wind Aviation and was bound for Stoney Rapids, according to the company.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., police responded to a call of a downed aircraft and located the plane less than a kilometre from the airstrip. They said it did not explode or catch fire.

Police confirm all 25 passengers are accounted for and have been removed from the scene. While there were no fatalities, some suffered serious injuries and require air ambulance transport. Emergency and rescue teams were called to the scene from the Royal Canadian Air Force and Search and Rescue.

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West Wind CFO Rick Philipenko said the company’s primary emphasis at this point is on the safety of the passengers and crew.

“We want to make sure they’re looked after,” he said.

Early Thursday, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau released a statement on the incident. He said the government’s “thoughts and hearts are with those affected by this accident, and our appreciation for the efforts of local first responders.” 

.@Transport_gc: Statement by Minister Garneau on West Wind Aviation accident near Fond-du-Lac, #Saskatchewan https://t.co/1uAHtyK8Us

— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) December 14, 2017

He said the government will help coordinate response efforts from the National Defence, RCMP and Transportation Saftey Board (TSB), which has been advised of the incident and will take over the investigation into the cause.

“We will cooperate fully with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s investigation into this accident. Transport Canada is appointing a Minister’s Observer who will keep me informed of the investigation’s progress.”

The TSB has a team of investigators expected to arrive Thursday.

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