Vancouver Island First Nations call for review after 2nd floatplane crash in Tofino
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, which represents 14 First Nations in B.C., is calling on the Transportation Safety Board to review conditions in Tofino Harbour, following two recent floatplane crashes.
Both crashes occurred within the last three months, with the most recent crash taking place on Monday when a floatplane flipped and clipped the edge of a Ahousaht water taxi.
No one was seriously injured in the crash, partly due to the heroic efforts of Ahousaht First Nation member Kenney Brown, who rushed to the scene and pulled four people from the frigid Pacific waters.
The incident follows another floatplane crash that occurred in Tofino's harbour in late July.
In that crash, all five people aboard the plane were able to escape with minor injuries after the plane flipped on a sandbar.
With two floatplane crashes occurring within nearly as many months, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) says it's time that the Transportation Safety Board reviewed the policies put in place in Tofino Harbour before another incident occurs.
"We call on Transport Canada as a priority, to review the laws, regulations and policies that regulate Tofino Harbour and make changes to ensure a safer harbour," said NTC president Judith Sayers in a statement Thursday.
"We cannot wait for the Transportation Safety Board to make recommendations. It is a very busy harbour with many floatplanes, water taxis, fishing boats, and other vessels that use this harbour," she said. "I was in the first floatplane accident and if it was not for the quick actions of my son, Cole Sayers, I could have drowned. I cannot thank him enough."
She adds that two more NTC employees were endangered in the most recent crash.
One witness of Monday's floatplane crash told CTV News that he thought he was watching a tragedy unfold when the plane scraped by the water taxi.
"One of my good friends drives the boat. I thought I was witnessing my friend die in front of me," said witness, Floyd Campbell Jr., on Tuesday.
The Transportation Safety Board says all passengers and the pilot of the floatplane in Monday's crash received minor injuries, as well as one passenger aboard the water taxi.
The NTC says it's aware that floatplanes are vital for transportation needs for everyone who lives in Tofino.
It's one of the reasons why the tribal council is calling on the federal government to perform a review as soon as possible.
"The airlines operating out of Tofino, which are heavily used by Nuuchah-nulth, need to ensure that all safety measures are taken to ensure this does not happen again," said NTC vice-president, Mariah Charleson.
"Transport Canada must also play a role in ensuring laws and regulations are in place to prevent these serious incidents."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.