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Two of the three people downed in a helicopter crash near Terrace during a heli-skiing trip have been identified as Italian nationals by media in their homeland.
According to Italian outlets, the two men were from South Tyrol, Italy’s northernmost province.
ANSA says Heiner Junior ‘ Heinzl’ Oberrauch was among those who died. His brother, Jakob Oberrauch, was one of the four people seriously hurt in Monday’s crash.
Jakob is the CEO of Sportler Group, an outdoor sport clothing company. Citing sources, ANSA reports he is in the hospital and is conscious.
The agency has not named the other Italian who died in the crash. However, other outlets have identified him as Andreas Junior Widmann, an entrepreneur in the textile sector.
The third person killed was not an Italian national, according to reports.
The Terrace RCMP previously said the helicopter went down about 50 kilometres northwest of the city. The aircraft was one of three on a backcountry ski trip.
Police say the other helicopters lost contact with the aircraft before they spotted the crash site.
In a statement on social media, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said he shares in the pain felt by the families who lost their lives in the crash in Canada.
He says he’s instructed the consulate to provide assistance to those who were injured.
Mi unisco al dolore delle famiglie che hanno perso i propri cari nel terribile incidente di elicottero in Canada. Ho dato indicazione al nostro Consolato @italyinvan di prestare la massima assistenza ai connazionali feriti. A loro auguro di cuore una pronta guarigione.
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) January 23, 2024
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, the company that owns the helicopter, has said it is working with authorities and is providing support to those affected by the tragedy.
“Northern Escape Heli-Skiing takes every precaution to minimize the risks while being in the backcountry, and they do this by meeting industry safety standards. However, similar to many outdoor activities, it’s impossible to eliminate 100 percent of the risks posed,” the company said in a statement.
-With files from Catherine Garrett, Pippa Norman, and The Canadian Press
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