All of B.C.’s air tankers back in the sky

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LYTTON (NEWS1130) – Two days after a crash claimed the lives of two of their colleagues, all of B.C.’s air tanker pilots are back in the sky helping battle wildfires across the province.

All air tankers were grounded until late Sunday morning after the Saturday crash near Lytton that killed 36-year-old Brian Tilley and 58-year-old Tim Whiting.  The cause of the crash still isn’t known.

Jeff Berry with the Provincial Air Tanker Program says pilots were given the chance to speak to councillors and take a day off. “Each air tanker pilot was given the opportunity to take a green day if they felt their focus wasn’t going to be suitable for what we’re dealing with and the operation of their aircraft. After that only two of our aircraft did take a green day and all of the aircraft are back on line now.”

The crash was the second within a week in B.C. on Thursday a helicopter went down near Lillooet, injuring two crew members.

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