Details of the accident in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville

Emergency services were called to the small town of Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, located approximately 50km (31 miles) from Montreal, shortly after 14:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Saturday afternoon. The emergency response was triggered by an initial call notifying police of a helicopter in distress that may have crashed and caught fire.

Upon arrival at the crash site, which is situated near the Rang des Écossais road off Highway 10, crews found the aircraft on fire. Authorities confirmed that the four occupants of the aircraft were declared dead at the scene. According to Sgt Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, the aircraft involved appeared to be a private helicopter.

The response to the fire was rapid, with officials reporting that the blaze at the site had been brought under control within an hour of the initial emergency call. However, the scene remained active for many hours; officials were still working at the crash site just before 22:00 local time.

Investigation and identification process

A multi-agency investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. The Major Crime Unit of the Sûreté du Québec is leading the inquiry, working in conjunction with crime scene technicians. They are also working alongside investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada to conduct a thorough examination of the incident.

The identities of the four victims have not yet been released. Sgt Audrey-Anne Bilodeau informed the BBC that the process of identifying those involved may "take a few days."

Regional impact and response

The crash occurred in the vicinity of Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, a small town in Quebec. The incident drew a significant response from provincial police and emergency services to manage the fire and secure the area near Highway 10. As the investigation continues, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada will work to analyze the technical aspects of the wreckage to understand why the aircraft went down.