Two men walk away after helicopter crash on Bowen Island
Posted March 5, 2021 10:59 am.
Last Updated March 5, 2021 6:48 pm.
BOWEN ISLAND (NEWS 1130) – It was the best outcome for search and rescue crews bracing for the worst. Two men were able to walk away after a helicopter went down Friday morning on Bowen Island.
A mechanical problem is believed to be what forced the emergency landing on the west side of Mount Gardner.
Deputy Fire Chief Ian Thompson says they didn’t know what to expect when they hiked in.
“The helicopter was in a couple of pieces and the whole front windshield was gone. It was lucky there was a big tree that they had hit. It kind of saved the helicopter from going over the edge,” he said.
Thompson, who’s been with Bowen Island Fire and Rescue for 15 years, says they had prepared for the worst.
“We were expecting that maybe this was going to be a recovery — hopefully, find someone alive. But we didn’t think we’d find two guys just standing, saying they felt okay,” he said.
“It was unbelievably lucky for them — and also lucky for us, because we were expecting to go up there and find the worst,” Thompson added.
The men were transported to Vancouver General Hospital by air ambulance and are in stable condition.
