Two people have died after a helicopter crash in Loughborough Inlet, just north of Sayward on Tuesday morning.
According to a Facebook post by Campbell River-based West Coast Helicopters, a Hughes 500 helicopter was being flown in the area for forestry operations. At 6:15 a.m., the helicopter went down with a pilot and two forestry workers from CFMG. The pilot, Riley Browne who worked for West Coast Helicopters, and a CFMG crew member did not survive. The other CFMG crew member did survive the crash.
“Riley was a good friend and pilot to all who worked with him,” the post by WCH says. “He always had a smile on his face, eager to help. Riley started his flying career at WCH in 2021. He was one of the pillars of the company. We all loved him.”
The post said that Browne is from a well-known Port McNeill family and that their condolences went out to the family and community.
The Gazette has reached out to CFMG for comment.