Montrealer who died in Haiti plane crash lost son in Christmas Ferris wheel accident
A Montrealer is among the five victims of a deadly plane crash that occurred on Wednesday in Haiti, according to Quebec Liberal (PLQ) MNA Paule Robitaille.
"Terrible. Tonight, I learned of the death of Gamaniel Valcin in a plane crash in Haiti," wrote Robitaille, MNA for Bourassa-Sauvé, on Twitter. "He was the father of Riley, who died on Christmas Day at the Montreal Ferris Wheel. Last week, I was presenting a medal posthumously to the family."
She posted the Twitter message just after news spread that a small plane had crashed in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, which left at least five people dead and several others injured, according to local authorities.
The plane was headed to the southern coastal city of Jacmel when it attempted a manoeuvre to land in the community of Carrefour, hitting a truck carrying soda bottles, explained Pierre Belamy Samedi, a police commissioner in the area.
He told the Associated Press that the truck driver was also among the victims.
Samedi says the pilot was taken to hospital, but his condition remains unknown.
A total of five people were on board the plane, according to the police commissioner.
Haiti's National Civil Aviation Office adds the aircraft involved in the crash was a Cessna 207, but provided no other details.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced he was saddened by the tragedy and offered his condolences to the victims' families in a tweet.
The crash comes nine months after another small, private plane, also bound for Jacmel, crashed near Port-au-Prince, killing six people, including two American missionaries.
The use of small planes to travel from Port-au-Prince to communities further south has gained popularity with the increase in kidnappings and gang violence, particularly in the Martissant area, which connects the capital to the southern region of Haiti.
-- This report by The Associated Press, with files from the Canadian Press, was first published in French on April 21, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.