An Indian national was among the two killed in a commercial survey plane crash in Canada’s Newfoundland province, the Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed on Tuesday. The deceased Indian citizen, Gautam Santhosh, was a resident of Kerala.
Both men were aboard a Piper Navajo twin-engine plane which crashed last Saturday evening near the airport in Deer Lake, according to a report in CBC. It was a small aircraft that could carry a total of eight people.
The Consulate General in Toronto, in a post on X, said, “With deep sorrow, we mourn the tragic passing of Mr Gautam Santhosh, an Indian national, who lost his life in an accident involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake, Newfoundland.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities in Canada to provide all necessary assistance and support,” it added.
The Consulate said it was in close contact with the bereaved family to provide all necessary assistance.
The Mission also tagged the post to the Chief Minister’s Office of Kerala, High Commission of India in Ottawa, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Earlier, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the aircraft carried two individuals, both of whom were pronounced dead at the crash site.
On Saturday, July 26, at approximately 5.35 pm, Deer Lake RCMP responded to reports of a plane crash near the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH), near the Deer Lake Airport. The crash prompted the immediate closure of the TCH for several hours to allow emergency personnel – including Deer Lake Airport responders, emergency medical services, and Deer Lake Fire Rescue – to respond to the scene, RCMP said.
Andrew Naysmith, owner and responsible executive of British Columbia-based Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey, the company that owns the plane, expressed grief over the loss of lives. Santhosh worked with the company.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss,” Naysmith said, CBC reported, citing his statement.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the deceased and their loved ones,” Naysmith added.
Naysmith said the company will provide support “in any and every way possible”.
Earlier in the month, an Indian student pilot, also from Kerala, died in a mid-air collision in Canada’s Manitoba province.
Deer Lake Mayor Mike Goosney confirmed that the crash occurred outside the town.
“It’s not every day, it’s never, that you hear of a plane crash,” Goosney told CBC.
According to the report, large clouds of smoke were seen near the crash site.
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