Radio presenter Gabriel Jasmine, 29, was among four people killed when a helicopter burst into flames during a birthday celebration flight in Quebec on Saturday, September 26. The crash also claimed the lives of his mother-in-law, Chantal Raymond, her son Loucas Perreault, and pilot Suzanne Jutras, 50.
Crash near Montreal
The helicopter went down at around 2.30pm in a field near Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville, roughly 30 miles southeast of Montreal. Emergency crews raced to the scene as firefighters worked to stabilise the flames. Quebec provincial police said all four people on board were pronounced dead at the scene.
Gabriel's partner, Océane Perreault, who shares a one-year-old daughter with the radio DJ, lost her boyfriend, her mother and her brother in the accident. She later revealed the flight had been arranged to celebrate her mother's birthday.
Heartbreaking tribute
In a statement over the weekend, Océane said: "A helicopter ride that was supposed to celebrate my wonderful mum's birthday turned into a tragedy that I never could have imagined. A part of my world flew away to heaven."
Gabriel worked as a radio host for Énergie 106.1 in Quebec's Eastern Townships. The station announced his death on Sunday, September 27, and offered condolences to Océane, their daughter and Gabriel's family, friends and colleagues.
Pilot's experience
Chantal's husband, Martin Perreault, paid tribute to his wife of nearly 40 years, their son Loucas and son-in-law Gabriel. He described Loucas as his "pride" and Gabriel as an "extraordinary father."
Suzanne was an experienced commercial helicopter pilot with more than 500 hours of flight time. Her partner, Yves Boulais, said she had been carrying out her second helicopter trip of the day when the crash occurred. He reportedly witnessed the tragedy as the aircraft returned. Suzanne regularly offered helicopter rides and had previously flown visitors at the Les Félixeries festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, where organisers described her as a passionate pilot known for her kindness.
Investigation underway
Police initially said the helicopter appeared to have experienced difficulties before crashing. Officials later clarified that it was returning when the aircraft crashed. Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada were deployed to the scene to determine the cause, and the Quebec coroner's office is examining the circumstances surrounding the four deaths. Canada's Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said officials were monitoring the investigation.
