The employees of a Kananaskis helicopter tour company are mourning the loss of one of their own.
Pilot Matthew Goodine died yesterday following a helicopter crash near Loder Peak, east of Canmore.
Goodine was flying four passengers on a 20 minute sight seeing tour when the helicopter went down in the remote area.
The pilot suffered severe injuries.
A rescue effort was launched to safely remove the five from the mountainside.
Goodine was transported by ambulance to the offices of Kananaskis Helicopter, near the juncture of Highway 40 and the Trans Canada Highway, where a STARS air ambulance waited to take him to hospital.
Goodine succumbed to his injuries before arriving at the offices.
The passengers on the helicopter tour were two couples visiting from the United Kingdom. All four were taken to hospital.
"The passengers have been treated and released from hospital," says RCMP Sgt. Patricia Neely. "They all suffered minor injuries from this crash. So, from that perspective, I think we need to look at the helicopter pilot and say, although he tragically perished in this accident, he must have done something right to bring that helicopter down causing so little injuries to the remaining four passengers."
The president of Kananaskis Helicopter released the following statement:
"It is a very sad day for all the staff at Kananaskis Mountain Helicopters (KMH), our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our pilot. We have met with all the staff in the company, suspended flight operations for the weekend, and are bringing in grief counsellors to assist."
"Kananaskis Mountain Helicopters operates a fleet of 11 turbine helicopters: Bell 206 and A-Star 350. On an annual basis the company hosts more than 12,000 passengers on heli-tours at their operation in Kananaskis. Most of the passengers are on pre-booked on packages through European and North American tour operators."
"Passengers were on a 20 minute sight-seeing flight that included a one-hour of snow-shoeing in the South Ghost area in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is not known what caused the helicopter to go down at this time. The company is fully cooperating with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada who will commence an investigation."
"KMH has been operating since 1994 and employs approximately 35 employees."
Ralph Sliger, President/Operations Manager
