Close X
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Oct, 2023 09:52 AM
  • B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says

A commercial helicopter with 14 people on board landed safely in Victoria on Tuesday after it was hit by lightning.

Rick Hill, the vice-president of Helijet, said the aircraft was at about 1,200 metres when it was hit by lightning, the two pilots on board took the chopper down to below the clouds and then landed without trouble in Victoria a few minutes later. 

Hill said such an event is very, very rare, and in his 36 years of experiences, it's only happened twice. 

He said there were no injuries, although he's sure that such an incident would certainly shake up those on board. 

Hill said there was some damage to the aircraft, including the tail rotor, but the two pilots on board did a great job in handling the rare situation. 

"I think they really did a fabulous job and relied on that training and were able to safely bring everybody to their destination," said Hill. 

Hill said staff on the ground spoke to passengers to ensure no one was hurt.

The damaged chopper is now grounded. Pilots will be debriefed and given some time to process this event, he said.

Hill said the company is working with the Transportation Safety Board to determine what happened and assess the damage to the helicopter. 

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Tuesday covering Greater Victoria and other parts of Vancouver Island, saying between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain was expected

MORE National ARTICLES

Tourism shoots up, but still below 2019 levels

Tourism shoots up, but still below 2019 levels
For the full year, tourism spending jumped 45 per cent to $74.38 billion as domestic and international travel roared back with COVID-19 restrictions lifted. However, that figure sits more than a fifth below 2019 tourism spending levels, which neared $95 billion.

Tourism shoots up, but still below 2019 levels

Feds promise automatic tax filing is on the way

Feds promise automatic tax filing is on the way
This week's federal budget says the Canada Revenue Agency will also present a plan in 2024 to expand the service, following consultations with stakeholders and community organizations. The move toward automatic tax filing, first promised in the 2020 speech from the throne, is one of several budget measures the Liberals say are meant to help Canadians with the cost of living.

Feds promise automatic tax filing is on the way

Top court to review fentanyl trafficking case

Top court to review fentanyl trafficking case
Police responded to the messages and arranged to have the drugs delivered to the dealer's home. Dwayne Alexander Campbell was arrested upon arriving at the residence, charged with drug-trafficking offences and convicted in court.

Top court to review fentanyl trafficking case

VPD makes 217 arrests in three-week shoplifting crackdown

VPD makes 217 arrests in three-week shoplifting crackdown
Mid-sized businesses like London Drugs, along with grocery stores, dollar-stores, and clothing retailers, were among the widest targeted by thieves during the three-week anti-shoplifting blitz, which ran February 15 to March 10.

VPD makes 217 arrests in three-week shoplifting crackdown

Federal budget shows no end in sight for deficits

Federal budget shows no end in sight for deficits
The budget's economic projections, which are based on a survey of private-sector economists, show the economy slowing more than what was anticipated in the fall. The federal government is now expecting a shallow recession this year as high interest rates weigh on growth.

Federal budget shows no end in sight for deficits

A 40-year-old woman struck Tuesday night in East Vancouver, suffering life-threatening injuries: VPD

A 40-year-old woman struck Tuesday night in East Vancouver, suffering life-threatening injuries: VPD
A 40-year-old pedestrian was struck at 9:30 p.m. while crossing East 1st Avenue at Woodland Drive, suffering life-threatening injuries. She remains at hospital in critical condition. The driver remained at the collision scene, and neither speed nor alcohol are considered factors.

A 40-year-old woman struck Tuesday night in East Vancouver, suffering life-threatening injuries: VPD