The U.S. Coast Guard has released the names of all six individuals on board an Ontario-based air ambulance that disappeared off the Massachusetts coast on Saturday, including four Canadians.
The Canadian crew members, who were employees of Latitude Air Ambulance in Ontario, were identified as Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton, and Jolene Beth Weir. The two passengers from Bermuda were Marilyn Lavonne Bean, aged 66, and her son, Sergio Wayne Lottimore, aged 41.
Lottimore, who was in the insurance industry, was described by his former school as a distinguished student leader and a respected figure in his profession.
Rear Adm. Matthew Lake, the commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District, expressed condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragic incident.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) will lead the investigation into the incident, as confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard statement.
Latitude Air Ambulance, the owner of the missing aircraft called Heartbeat 104, praised the crew members, highlighting their qualities and dedication to their work.
The company emphasized that the crew members were committed to assisting individuals during critical moments and vowed to honor their memory.
The company requested privacy for the families of the crew members and pledged cooperation with Canadian and American aviation authorities for the investigation.
The air ambulance, en route from Bermuda to Boston, lost contact with air-traffic control on Saturday, with reports of electrical issues before the plane went missing near Nantucket.
Following an extensive search, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended rescue operations and shifted to recovery efforts after locating debris from the aircraft.
Latitude Air Ambulance acknowledged the conclusion of the search and rescue phase, expressing deep sorrow over the presumed loss of the crew members and passengers.
The company pledged support to the grieving families and emphasized remembering the positive contributions of the lost individuals.