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UPDATE (2:37 p.m. Saturday): The four victims have been identified. Click here for the updated story.
UPDATE (4:36 p.m.): RCMP held a police conference at 3:30 p.m. in Lake Country regarding the crash. RCMP were informed by airport authorities that a Citation plane that departed from the Kelowna International Airport and presumed to have crashed shortly after. Police officers and police dogs reached the crash site shortly after midnight.
It was confirmed that the damage was "catastrophic". The Coroner's Office will now be leading the recovery process and their staff will be on site soon.
UPDATE (10:30 a.m.): BC RCMP have officially confirmed that four people have died in a Oct. 13 plane crash near Lake Country.
“Our police officers and police dog reached the crash scene shortly after midnight, but unfortunately they were not able to locate any
survivors,” Corp. Dan Moskaluk said. “There was catastrophic damage at the crash site.”
The Cessna Citation aircraft left Kelowna airport bound for the Calgary area, but crashed shortly after takeoff, approximately four kilometres into a heavily wooded area north of Beaver Lake Road, east of Lake Country.
Authorities are now working to confirm the identities of those onboard the aircraft.
“Our priority is to first share information with the families of those individuals killed in this tragic crash,” said Moskaluk.
After next of kin is notified, information about the identities of those on board will be released publicly.
Officers at the scene are still working to secure the crash site, awaiting the arrival of the Transportation Safety Board.
The RCMP confirms it is also working with the BC Coroner’s Service.
UPDATE (10 a.m.): Former Alberta premier Jim Prentice is one of four people who were reportedly killed in a plane crash outside of Kelowna Thursday night.
Local politicians were quick to tweet out their condolences.
Just heard that Jim Prentice has died along with 3 others after a private plane crash outside of #Kelowna. My condolences to their families.
— Dan Albas (@DanAlbas) October 14, 2016
Thinking of and praying for the many, many friends and family who loved Jim Prentice dearly. Those who knew him the best loved him the most.
— Mark Strahl, MP (@markstrahl) October 14, 2016
I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Prentice. He devoted his life to Canada. Our thoughts are with his family.
— Michael Chong (@MichaelChongMP) October 14, 2016
Extremely saddened to hear the news of Jim Prentice's passing in last night's Okanagan plane crash. He served Canada & Alberta with pride.
— Mike Klassen (@MikeKlassen) October 14, 2016
My heart is broken for my friend Karen Prentice. Jim was an incredible person, had encyclopedic knowledge and desire to make things better.
— Lisa MacLeod (@MacLeodLisa) October 14, 2016
Original Story: RCMP and the Transportation Safety Board are investigating a plane crash that occurred near Lake Country on Thursday night.
On Oct. 13, just after 10 p.m., the Kelowna RCMP and Lake Country RCMP detachments were alerted by the Surrey Air Traffic Control Centre that they had lost contact with a citation jet after it took off from the Kelowna International Airport.
The aircraft was destined for Calgary.
“Several resources were immediately dispatched to the jet’s last known location,” said Corp. Dan Moskaluk, spokesperson for the RCMP in Southeast District. “RCMP investigators located the crash site approximately 4 km into a heavily wooded area north of Beaver Lake Road
east of Lake Country.”
The RCMP are still securing the crash site and awaiting the arrival of the Transportation Safety Board.
KelownaNow will provide updates as they become available.
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