Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Erin O'Toole
May 17, 2020 - 6:53 PM
An outpouring of support is being shared across Canada honouring the woman who died in a Kamloops snowbird plane crash this morning.
Capt. Jennifer Casey died after the plane crashed in a Brocklehurst neighbourhood shortly after take off at roughly 11:30 a.m. The snowbirds were planning on flying from Kamloops to Comox as part of their cross-Canada tour to salute Canadians doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19. This unique mission was dubbed Operation Inspiration.
Emergency crews were on scene on Glenview Avenue this morning after the plane crashed into a house and started a fire. The home's occupants were not injured, according to witness reports.
A pilot was taken to the hospital after he was ejected from the plane, according to witnesses. His parachute could be seen in a nearby neighbourhood. A neighbour who lives directly across from the scene of the crash said the plane exploded in mid-air, sending debris across the neighbourhood. The Canadian Forces confirmed a person died in the crash and that another was seriously, but not critically, injured.
READ MORE: Snowbird crash: Video shows two people being ejected from plane before crash in Kamloops neighbourhood
Balloons have also been put up at the intersection of Glenview Road and Crestline Street in Kamloops.
Image Credit: Brie Welton
Casey was the public affairs officer for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. According to her LinkedIn page, she was with the Canadian Forces since 2014. Prior to that, she was a reporter and anchor at Quinte Broadcasting in Belleville, Ontario. Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian said in a press conference earlier today, May 17, that the city would support the Canadian military in every way they can.
Ontario MP Erin O'Toole issued a statement about Casey on his Facebook page, stating "Tonight, all of Canada mourns the loss of a service-member who helped so many of us through these difficult times."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has offered his condolences to the CF Snowbirds through Twitter.
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