Ontario Air Ambulance Carrying 6 People Missing Off US Coast

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter in South Bend, Ind., in a file photo. The Canadian Press/AP-Michael Caterina

A search by the U.S. Coast Guard is underway for an Ontario air ambulance carrying six people after the aircraft lost contact with the Federal Aviation Administration early Oct. 3 while travelling from Bermuda to Boston.

According to flight tracking data, the aircraft departed L.F. Wade International Airport at approximately 11:40 p.m. ET on Oct. 2 (12:40 a.m. local time on Oct. 3).

Air traffic control lost contact with the flight roughly one hour and 45 minutes into the journey, at around 1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 3, as the aircraft was approaching Boston.

Four Canadians—two pilots and two medical crew members—as well as a patient from Bermuda and a family member travelling with the patient were on board.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on social media that it is actively searching for the aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 with the tail number C-GRJP, off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the Canadian government is monitoring the situation and working with relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue.

“My thoughts are with everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” he said.

The Bermuda government said it has been in contact with the families of those on board and remains in contact with overseas authorities coordinating the search.

The aircraft is operated by Hamilton, Ontario, based Latitude Air Ambulance, which specializes in long-range emergency medical evacuations and bed-finding logistics.

The flight reflects Bermuda’s reliance on overseas medical care for some specialized treatments. The island has a relatively small healthcare system centred on King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, its only general hospital. While the hospital provides a broad range of medical services, some specialized treatments are not available locally and require patients to travel overseas.

As the search continued, Premier of Bermuda David Burt said, “My thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time. We are praying that all six people will be found safe, and we thank the search and rescue crews for their continuing efforts.”

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.