The United States Coast Guard has released the names of all six passengers and crew members who were aboard an air ambulance that tragically crashed in the waters off Massachusetts while en route from Bermuda to Boston over the weekend. The aircraft went missing at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday near Nantucket.
The authorities identified the Canadian passengers as Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton, and Jolene Beth Weir. Additionally, the two Bermudian nationals aboard were named as Marilyn Lavonne Bean, age 66, and Sergio Wayne Lottimore, age 41. The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100, vanished from radar while returning to Boston after departing from Bermuda, which is located about 750 to 780 miles (roughly 1,200 to 1,250 kilometers) southeast of Boston.
After a 66-hour search effort that covered more than 4,400 miles (7,081 kilometers), searchers located a "debris field" off the coast of Nantucket. Sadly, there were no signs of the six individuals on board, prompting the U.S. Coast Guard to suspend rescue operations on Sunday. Bermuda Premier David Burt expressed deep sorrow, stating, "While we held out hope for the best, the worst fears have been realized." He called for compassion and support for the grieving families affected by the loss.
In memory of Lottimore, Warwick Academy, the school he attended in Bermuda, honored him as a school prefect and described him as an "outstanding person." Furthermore, Hamilton Re, the Bermuda-based insurance firm where he served as a senior vice president, reflected on their loss, remarking that they had lost a "respected leader, colleague, and friend." The profound impact of the tragedy was palpable within the community.
Latitude Air Ambulance, the Ontario-based company that owned the aircraft, acknowledged the heartbreaking reality that all aboard the plane are presumed dead, even if they have not been formally declared deceased. In a statement, the company expressed sorrow over the loss of its staff members, stating, "Our four crew members were valued members of the Latitude family. They dedicated themselves to providing care to people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives." The firm conveyed its commitment to supporting the victims' families in this devastating time.
Peter Byl, president of Latitude Air Ambulance, indicated that the company's immediate focus is on providing support to the families of the victims and cooperating with the ongoing investigation. He emphasized that speculation regarding the circumstances or causes of the crash will not occur until the investigations are completed.
The Canadian-registered jet had taken off from Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport for a nighttime flight to Massachusetts. Audio from air traffic control suggests the pilot may have been "coming in blind" as a storm approached the area. The pilot reported experiencing electrical problems and declared an emergency as the aircraft neared the coast.
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has announced that it will send investigators in the coming days to assist with the search and recovery of the aircraft. This agency is leading the investigation into the crash, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, indicating a cross-border effort to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
