An update now regarding the situation at Garrison Petawawa. The Royal Canadian Air Force is searching for two members of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron following the crash of a CH-147F Chinook in the Ottawa River early this morning. The missing crew are amongst a total crew of four who were on the helicopter at the time of the accident. Two other members of the crew were found by first responders and taken to hospital in Pembroke. Roughly 50 armed forces members are on shore and on water helping with the search, along with an Ontario Provincial Police marine unit, Petawawa and Pembroke Fire Departments and search and rescue aircraft from the RCAF’s 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron to include a Griffon SAR helicopter and Hercules aircraft. A 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron Griffon is also involved. Boaters in the area are being asked to remain clear of the shores near Garrison Petawawa to aid search efforts, avoid potentially hazardous materials from the aircraft and to ensure integrity of the crash scene to enable an RCAF Flight Safety Investigation at a later time.
(Written by: Kyle Robinson)