By Veronica Beltran

CAF members in crash in Ionian Sea

1 member of Canadian Armed Forces confirmed dead in helicopter crash, 5 missing

Apr 30, 2020 | 8:59 AM

OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s morning address did not cover much on COVID-19 today, instead the focus was on the helicopter crash that occurred yesterday killing a member of the Canadian Navy.

According to Canadian General, Jonathan Vance, there were six members of the Canadian Armed Forces aboard the helicopter on a NATO mission known as Operation Reassurance. Members aboard the helicopter were taking part in NATO allied exercises when the helicopter went down.

“Each of them will leave a void that cannot be filled.”—Justin Trudeau

The chopper went down into the Ionian Sea at around 7 pm yesterday, after losing contact with members on ship in the ocean below.

One of the six Canadian members has been located and identified as Abigail Cowborough, the other five bodies have yet to be located or identities released.

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“The entire Canadian Armed forces are with you, and so is the rest of the country.”—Canadian General, Jonathan Vance

Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, says that the search for the other five continues and that the cause of the crash, at this time is unknown.

Flight data and voice recorders have been recovered to help with the investigation into the cause of the accident.

General Vance explained how 240 members of the Canadian Armed Forces had left Canada for Europe to take part in the operation and had just marked their 100th day.

Members of Operation Reassurance were set to return to Canada in July.