The Government of Bermuda has confirmed that all six people on board the air ambulance that crashed in waters off Massachusetts over the weekend have died. The Canadian aircraft vanished off the coast of Nantucket as it travelled from Bermuda to Boston in the early hours of Saturday morning, carrying four crew members, a patient and their relative, who had been collected during a medical evacuation.
Debris field located after extensive search
FlightAware's tracker showed the aircraft dramatically lose altitude before communication went dark, plummeting from around 7,300m (24,000ft) to 3,300m (11,000ft) in roughly three minutes. There were also problems with communications between the pilot and air traffic control.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) launched an extensive search for the Gulfstream aircraft in the early hours of Saturday, covering a vast stretch of ocean off Nantucket. Multiple aircraft, helicopters and boats were deployed as crews searched. More than 1,600 square miles had been searched over approximately 27 hours as crews tried to find those on board.
Authorities located a "debris field" on Saturday evening which was later confirmed to be from the aircraft. However, officials said the number of components discovered made it difficult to establish exactly what had been found. The search continued through the weekend before the USCG officially suspended its efforts at sunset on Sunday, October 4.
Victims identified as mother and son
The patient and relative have now been named as Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66, and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore, 41. In an update from the Bermuda Police Service, a spokesperson said: "The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the identities of the two Bermudian Nationals who were on board an aircraft which went missing off Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, U.S.A., shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as 66-year-old Marilyn Lavonne Bean and her 41-year-old son, Sergio Wayne Lottimore.
"The investigation into this incident is being conducted by the U.S. National Transportation and Safety Board, in conjunction with Transport Safety Board, Canada. A BPS Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to assist the relatives of Ms. Bean and Mr. Lottimore, during this difficult time. The BPS extends sincere condolences."
Officials express condolences
A spokesperson from the Government of Bermuda said: "We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Marilyn Lavonne Bean and Sergio Wayne Lottimore, the two Bermudians who tragically lost their lives following an aircraft incident near Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, on Saturday, 3 October.
"We also extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the four other individuals who lost their lives in this tragedy. The loss of life in such heartbreaking circumstances is deeply felt. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those grieving at this difficult time."
The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, said: "My heart is with the families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones of everyone involved in this tragic incident. This is an incredibly difficult time for all those affected, and I know many people across Bermuda are holding them in their thoughts and prayers. We also recognise the dedicated crew who came to Bermuda to provide a service that has supported many families during some of life's most difficult moments. For that, we are deeply grateful. On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I extend my sincere support to all those affected and keep them in my thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time."
Premier David Burt expressed condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda after the air ambulance went down in the waters off the coast of Nantucket: "While we held out hope for the best, the worst fears have been realized and so our first thoughts are with the families of those so tragically lost. Let us open our hearts to the families in the hope that our expressions of love, support and compassion will bring some comfort as they attempt to deal with this terrible loss."
