2 people rescued after float plane crash off Lasqueti Island, B.C.
Float Plane Crash in B.C. Ends in Miraculous Rescue
In a dramatic incident on Thursday morning, two individuals were safely rescued after their float plane crashed in False Bay, located on the west side of Lasqueti Island, British Columbia. Witnesses reported that the aircraft, believed to belong to Telus, appeared to be approaching the water at a lower angle than usual before it flipped upon impact. Fortunately, both the pilot and passenger escaped without serious injuries.
Witness Account and Immediate Response
Al Bajec, the owner of the Lasqueti Island Hotel and Pub, was preparing coffee shortly after 9 a.m. when he heard the float plane approaching. He noted that the plane, which regularly delivers workers to the island, seemed to be flying lower than normal. “When it hit the water, it just went right in the water and just flipped,” Bajec recounted, describing the plane’s sudden descent and subsequent overturning.
Reacting quickly, Bajec and a friend rushed to the dock and launched his boat. Another friend, already on the water for a fishing trip, reached the scene first. They managed to pull the pilot and passenger from the water, both of whom had escaped the submerged aircraft. “They have no scratch or nothing. They just have a little bit of hurting on their eyes because of the gas on the water, but that’s it. The rest — everything’s fine. They’re in good shape,” Bajec reported.
After rescuing the occupants, Bajec used his boat to secure the overturned plane and bring it to the dock. Meanwhile, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria received a report of the incident shortly after it occurred. In response, two vessels, including RCMSAR 59 from Deep Bay and a Canadian Coast Guard Motor Life Boat from Parksville, were dispatched, along with a Cormorant helicopter from Comox. However, by the time the rescue teams arrived, civilians had already completed the rescue.
Investigation and Safety Measures
Following the incident, B.C. Emergency Health Services dispatched an air ambulance to Lasqueti Island, but it was ultimately deemed unnecessary. Telus confirmed the accident and stated that both individuals involved were unharmed. A spokesperson for the company mentioned that an investigation into the incident was underway, although they did not clarify whether Telus owned the aircraft or the nature of the work being conducted on the island.
The federal Transportation Safety Board has been notified of the crash but has not yet decided whether to conduct a full investigation. As of Thursday, there were no plans to send investigators to Lasqueti Island. Bajec also observed signs of spilled fuel in the area where the plane flipped, although he did not detect any odor around the dock where the plane was secured. Spill containment equipment has been deployed in the vicinity of the aircraft to address any potential environmental concerns.
