Investigators have started going through the site of a deadly plane crash just outside the town of Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories.
The Transportation Safety Board has released photos from the scene showing the wreckage of the charter plane in a heavily wooded area.
The agency says this kind of investigation is generally completed within 15 months.
The plane, a British Aerospace Jetstream, was headed Tuesday morning to the Diavik Diamond Mine, northeast of Yellowknife.
It crashed just after takeoff, killing four mine workers and two crew members.
The lone survivor, another mine worker, was airlifted to hospital in Yellowknife.
2 victims identified by family
Family members have identified two of the plane crash victims as Howie Benwell and Diane Balsillie. Both were employees at the Diavik Diamond Mine.
Benwell’s sister Crystal told Global News her younger brother will be greatly missed.
“He was able to light up the room with his smile and help make others laugh,” she said. “He ensured safety and inspiration to everyone.”
Balsillie was a mother of three and a grandmother. Her son Alex said losing his mom this way has been impossible to understand.
“I just talked to her,” he told Global News from his home in Edmonton.
“She sent me a care package there and we’re laughing, we’re joking and the next thing you know she’s gone.”
Alex said his mother was known for her kindness.
Balsillie’s longtime friend, Judith Ann Gale, called Balsillie a beautiful soul.
“She loved her family, she loved her community, she was a lover of life.”
–with files from Global News’ Heather Yourex-West
View photos of Benwell and Balsillie in the gallery below:
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