A Canadian radio host has died in a helicopter crash in Quebec that also killed his girlfriend's mother and brother. Gabriel Jasmin, 29, was one of four people who died when the aircraft came down shortly after takeoff and caught fire in a field near Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville.
Jasmin, who presented on Énergie 106.1, had been spending a day off with family. The other victims were pilot Suzanne Jutras, 50, and passengers Chantal Raymond and her son Loucas Perreault, who had been celebrating Chantal's birthday. Emergency crews attended the scene, but all four were pronounced dead there.
Girlfriend's tribute
Jasmin's girlfriend, Océane Perreault, watched the disaster unfold from the ground. The couple shared a one-year-old daughter, and Perreault also lost her mother and brother in the crash. In a Facebook tribute written in French, she said: "Three people I love more than anything are gone far too soon, right before my eyes - I have no words to describe the pain, the shock, and the emptiness I feel."
She described Jasmin as the love of her life and "the best dad in the world", called her mother "her rock, her comfort, her home", and said her brother was her "partner-in-crime". She urged others to "hold your loved ones a little tighter. Tell them you love them. Call the people you miss" and to "cherish the little moments, the fits of laughter, the ordinary days".
Pilot's experience and investigation
Jutras reportedly had more than 500 hours of flying experience. Her partner, Yves Boulais, said she was on her second helicopter trip of the day when the crash happened. She regularly offered helicopter rides and had previously flown visitors at the Les Félixeries festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey.
Jasmin's radio station announced his death on Sunday and offered condolences to Perreault, their daughter, and his wider family, friends and colleagues. Chantal's husband, Martin Perreault, paid tribute to his wife of almost 40 years, their son Loucas, and son-in-law Gabriel, describing Loucas as his "pride" and Gabriel as an "extraordinary father". The Quebec coroner's office has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the four deaths, and Canada's Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said officials were monitoring the investigation.
