A radio host, his mother-in-law and brother-in-law were among four people killed when a birthday helicopter ride ended in tragedy.
Gabriel Jasmin, 29, died alongside Chantal Raymond, her son Loucas Perreault and pilot Suzanne Jutras, 50, when the aircraft crashed and burst into flames.
The group had taken to the skies to celebrate Chantal’s birthday when disaster struck in Quebec, Canada, on Saturday (26 Sep), as reported by Need To Know.
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Gabriel’s partner Océane Perreault lost her boyfriend, mum and brother in the horror crash.
She and Gabriel shared a one-year-old daughter.
The helicopter came down in a field near Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, around 30 miles southeast of Montreal, Canada, at about 2:30pm.
Emergency crews raced to the scene following reports that the aircraft was in difficulty.
The helicopter caught fire after crashing, with firefighters battling the blaze.
All four people on board were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Quebec provincial police.
Heartbroken Océane later revealed the flight had been organised to celebrate her mum’s birthday.
She said: “A helicopter ride that was supposed to celebrate my wonderful mother’s birthday turned into a tragedy that I never could have imagined.”
Paying tribute to her loved ones, she added: “On Sept. 26, a part of my world flew away to heaven.”
Gabriel worked as a radio host for Énergie 106.1 in Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
The station announced his death on Sunday and offered its condolences to Océane, their daughter and Gabriel’s family, friends and colleagues.
Chantal’s husband Martin Perreault also paid tribute to his wife of almost 40 years, their son Loucas and son-in-law Gabriel.
He described Loucas as his “pride” and Gabriel as an “extraordinary father”.
Suzanne was an experienced commercial helicopter pilot who reportedly had more than 500 hours of flying experience.
Her partner Yves Boulais said she had been carrying out her second helicopter trip of the day when the crash happened.
He reportedly witnessed the tragedy as the aircraft returned.
Suzanne regularly offered helicopter rides and had previously flown visitors at the Les Félixeries festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey.
Festival organisers remembered her as a passionate pilot known for her kindness.
Quebec provincial police initially said the helicopter appeared to have experienced difficulties before crashing.
Police later clarified that the aircraft was returning when it came down.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada deployed investigators to the scene to establish what caused the crash.
The Quebec coroner’s office is also examining the circumstances surrounding the four deaths.
Canada’s Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said officials were monitoring the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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