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3 dead after float plane crash off Vancouver Island

The Cessna 185 crashed on West Cracroft Island. Mounties say it had taken off from Port McNeil.
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A Cessna 185 float plane lands in the United States.

Three people have died in a float plane crash off the northeastern tip of Vancouver Island – near Potts Lagoon, just east of Alert Bay.

Mounties have said those passengers were the only people aboard the airplane – a Cessna 185. Reports say the plane had taken off from Port McNeil, but investigators were continuing to work Thursday afternoon to determine its final destination.

from Global BC:

Glen Friesen with the Transportation Safety Board said the plane departed Port McNeill and was supposed to drop off a passenger at Potts Lagoon.

The plane struck on an embankment about 20 yards upslope from Potts Lagoon, located on the south side of Clio Channel on West Cracroft Island, at approximately 11:45 a.m. Oct. 24.

"Rescue crews have recovered three victims; unfortunately, all three are deceased," said Cpl. Darren Lagan of the Island District RCMP. "There were two passengers and a pilot. From the information we have gathered, there were no other passengers aboard, so this is not a search and rescue operation."

Alert Bay RCMP and rescue crews from 442 Squadron in Comox attended the crash site. The Transportation Safety Board has been notified, and the BC Coroners Service will be attending the crash site as well.

Names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

*With files from North Island Gazette.