Lives lost, but treasured: mourners honour dead in chopper crash

Bells at the largest church in Newfoundland and Labrador tolled Wednesday evening for the 17 people lost last week when an offshore oil helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

At least 1,300 people filled the pews of the Roman Catholic Basilica of St. John the Baptist, some arriving almost four hours before the start of the interdenominational service.

"This tragic loss of life will be told from generation to generation, as our ancestors have shared stories with us," said Martin Currie, the Roman Catholic archbishop of St. John's, who shared prayers and thoughts with leaders from numerous faith communities.

"When we hear the stories of the past, it gives us hope that life will go on, but that it has changed and will never be the same again," Currie said during the ceremony's homily.

The service featured speeches, prayers and tributes to the passengers of the Cougar Helicopters shuttle that went down after the crew reported mechanical problems. Prayers and songs were offered and sung by coworkers and relatives of the lost.

Only one person, Robert Decker, survived the crash. Now recovering in a St. John's hospital, Decker was the subject of numerous prayers during the evening.

Edison Wiltshire, a pastor who provides religious services to workers on offshore oil platforms southeast of St. John's, said it's important for people to mourn together.

"There is an old psalm that says it was good to be in the house of the Lord," he told CBC News during final preparations for the service.

"I'm hoping that when we walk away tonight, we walk away with a new resource — something else to facilitate grace and the healing process."

Fourteen of the 17 people killed in the crash, now under investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, have been positively identified.

Harper, Williams attend service

Dignitaries, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Danny Williams, attended the event, but did not speak.

Speaking with CBC News shortly before the service started, Currie said grief will pass.

'Little by little, light will come back.' —Archbishop Martin Currie

"My heart to say the least is heavy," he said in an interview.

"When you deal with so much tragedy and so much pain over a few days, it affects you … [but] little by little, light will come back. That's my message," he said.

A similar scene played out 27 years ago, when the basilica became the focus for public grieving after the Ocean Ranger drilling rig collapsed and sank during a winter storm, killing all 84 men aboard.

Another disaster has brought people together again, in different circumstances. The potential of the oil industry in those early years has been realized, with the industry having delivered good jobs and billions of dollars in benefits to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy.

John Ridgley, a local chaplain who helped organize Wednesday's event, said it was important once again to gather the community with a common purpose.

"This started off as just a simple thought, that we wanted to bring the offshore oil family together to show their concern, their respect and support for those who've lost family members," said Ridgley.

The Cougar aircraft was transporting 16 workers to two offshore oil platforms, at the Hibernia and White Rose sites. The shuttles have been routine sights in the skies of St. John's, but have been suspended while questions remain about the safety of the aircraft.

Just three hours before the service started, an offshore supply vessel — in view of those arriving at the Basilica — arrived in St. John's harbour with some of the wreckage retrieved from the ocean floor.

Investigators had earlier recovered both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder, which may shed important details on the final minutes of the flight.

Prayers offered at the ceremony included a wish to learn what caused the helicopter to crash. Based on the crew's final reports, authorities believe there had been a drop in oil pressure in the helicopter's gearbox, although they caution that the investigation is still in an early stage.

Fourteen of the 17 people killed in the crash were from Newfoundland and Labrador. The deceased are:

•  Thomas Anwyll, 46, Langley, B.C.
•  Peter Breen, 55, St. John's.
•  Gary Corbett, 46, Conception Bay South.
•  Matthew William Thomas Davis, 34, St. John's, pilot of the helicopter.
•  Wade Drake, 42, Fortune.
•  Wade Duggan, 32, Witless Bay.
•  Corey Eddy, 32, of Paradise, formerly of Sibley's Cove.
•  Keith Escott, 39, St. John's.
•  Colin Henley, 38, St. John's.
•  Tim Lanouette, 48, Comox, B.C., first officer on the helicopter.
•  Allison Maher, 26, Mount Pearl, formerly of Aquaforte.
•  Ken MacRae, 47, Greenwood, N.S.
•  Gregory Wayne Morris, 39, Outer Cove.
•  Derrick Mullowney, 51, Bay Bulls.
•  Burch Nash, 44, Fortune.
•  John Pelley, 41, Deer Lake.
•  Paul Pike, 49, Shearstown.