British Columbia

Helicopter pilot seriously injured in Canim Lake, B.C. crash

Drilling crew watched in horror as a helicopter crashed near Canim Lake. The pilot was seriously injured.

'The pilot was observed on approach to get into trouble and land hard'

Drillers watched the helicopter get into trouble in the air and "land hard," according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. (Gerhard/Canhim Lake View Estates/Facebook)

A drilling crew watched in horror as a helicopter crashed near Canim Lake, B.C on Friday afternoon. The pilot was seriously injured.

The experienced pilot who was working for Far West Helicopters in support of a drilling exploration crew was transported to a hospital in Kamloops.

"The pilot was observed on approach to get into trouble and land hard," said Bill Yearwood, a spokesman for the Canada Transportation and Safety Board.

Yearwood described the pilot as a local, experienced helicopter pilot who was flying a Bell 206, commonly known as a JetRanger, at the time of the accident around 3 p.m. PT.