Missing Ontario Air Ambulance Found as Debris; Four Canadians Aboard
A Hamilton-based air ambulance carrying four Canadians and two Bermudians went missing on a flight from Bermuda to Boston early Saturday. Debris from the Gulfstream jet was located off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, as the U.S. Coast Guard continues search and rescue operations.
An Ontario-registered air ambulance operated by Latitude Air Ambulance disappeared early Saturday morning while en route from Bermuda to Boston Logan International Airport. The Gulfstream G100 jet was carrying four Canadian crew members and two Bermudian passengers on what should have been a routine medical transfer flight.
Timeline and Search Efforts
The aircraft departed L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda around 11:40 p.m. Friday evening. Flight tracking data shows the plane maintained an altitude of 24,000 feet before descending rapidly to 11,000 feet around 1:05 a.m. Saturday, at which point air traffic control lost contact with the crew. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Search and Rescue Alert at 1:20 a.m., triggering an immediate response from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Crew members reported electrical problems and declared an emergency as the jet approached the Massachusetts coast, with audio indicating the aircraft was "coming in blind" as a storm approached. By Saturday evening, Coast Guard teams discovered a debris field approximately 20 miles off Nantucket. The search remains ongoing as recovery efforts continue.
Canada's Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon expressed his thoughts for "everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time." Global Affairs Canada stated that consular officials stand ready to provide assistance and are in contact with local authorities. The company's operations manager confirmed this is the first time Latitude Air Ambulance has lost contact with one of its aircraft.
If you are planning to travel internationally for medical services or emergency care, this incident underscores the importance of understanding evacuation protocols and ensuring comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Expats and visiting families should verify that any air ambulance services they may need have strong safety records and clear emergency procedures.
Sources
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