Four people dead after helicopter crashes and catches fire in Canadian town

Four people dead after helicopter crashes and catches fire in Canadian town Four people have died after a helicopter crashed and caught fire in Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, around 31 miles from Montreal, Canada. Four people have died after a helicopter crashed in a small town in Canada. Emergency services raced to Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, around 31 miles from Montreal, at around 2.30pm local time on Saturday after reports of an aircraft in distress. When crews arrived, they found the helicopter had crashed and was on fire. All four people on board were pronounced dead at the scene, the BBC reports. The blaze was brought under control around an hour later, although emergency crews remained at the site for several hours. Quebec Sergeant Audrey-Anne Bilodeau said the victims have not yet been formally identified, adding that the process could take a few days. She said the aircraft appeared to be a private helicopter. It was not immediately clear where the helicopter had taken off from, although police said it was believed to have encountered difficulties shortly after departure. The Major Crime Unit of the Sûreté du Québec has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Crime scene technicians and investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are also assisting. The Transportation Safety Board confirmed it had deployed a team of investigators to the scene. Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said: “The safety of civil aviation operations is Transport Canada's top priority. “The department will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground and remains ready to provide support and collaborate with all stakeholders involved in the unfolding events.”