Indian national Gautam Santhos dies in fatal Deer Lake, Canada air crash; authorities and Indian mission confirm tragedy. Photo/X.
Gautam Santhos, an Indian national, from Kerala, was killed in a air crash involving a commercial survey aircraft near Deer Lake Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, on the evening of July 26.
The crash involved a Piper PA-31 Navajo twin-engine plane operated by Kisik Aerial Survey Inc., a company headquartered in Delta, British Columbia.
The Indian Consulate General in Toronto confirmed the inncident on Tuesday saying that Gautam Santhosh, was one of the two people, who died in the crash.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Consulate wrote, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in close contact with the bereaved family and local authorities in Canada to provide all necessary assistance and support.”
The Indian mission in Kerala assured full support and assistance to Santhosh’s family during this period of grief.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also reported that two people were on board when the aircraft crashed. Police said that both were declared dead at the scene.
Local media reported that the crash occurred near Deer Lake airpot. The reports did not provide any further details on the circumstances of the crash.
Andrew Naysmith, owner of Kisik Geospatial and Aerial Survey, expressed sorrow following the crash.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by this loss,”* Naysmith said. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victim and their loved ones,” he added
Although the identities of the deceased were not officially released by the company at the time, Naysmith stated that names would be made public only by the authorities.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash which will look into the cause of the aircraft crash. The Piper Navajo aircraft has the capacity to carry up to eight passengers. At the time of crash, Canda was using it for commercial aerial survey work at the time.
After the crash, Naysmith said that the company would “provide support in any and every way possible” to those affected.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
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