By Greg Fry with files from the Canadian Press

Doherty reacts

‘It’s too soon to speculate’: Prince George MP reacts to plane crash

Jan 8, 2020 | 11:25 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — Local reaction to the tragic plane crash in Iran that has claimed the lives of 63 Canadians.

Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty says he’s devastated by the news and is expressing his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of all those lost in the crash.

The Transport critic for the Conservatives says it’s the largest loss of Canadian life in a plane crash on foreign soil but says it’s still too soon to speculate on what happened.

“I think it’s way too soon. I think that is the easiest thing to do is to sit and armchair quarterback it and speculate,” Doherty says.

“I think we have to let the investigation take place. I think we have to let the relevant agencies do their investigation. And I think that information will come out soon enough and I think we need to do whatever we can to focus on the loss rather than on the cause of the incident.”

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Neighbouring Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies Conservative MP Bob Zimmer issued the following statement regarding the Ukrainian International Airlines plane crash:

“I was saddened to hear of the Ukrainian International Airlines plane crash which has claimed the lives of 63 Canadians. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their lives in this tragedy and we mourn with those who lost loved ones today.

“While it is still early in the investigation, I hope the families of these victims will soon have answers on what caused the crash.”

Among the dead were numerous residents of the Edmonton area reports the Canadian Press.

In addition to that, the University of Guelph in southern Ontario says two PhD students, as well as the partner of one of the students, were among the 176 people who died.

And Western University in southwestern Ontario is reporting four of its students are also among those who were killed.