The U.S. Coast Guard has unveiled the identities of the four Canadian individuals who were on board the medical air transport jet departing from Hamilton that disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean while en route to Boston from Bermuda early on Saturday. The Canadian crew members were Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton, and Jolene Beth Weir, as confirmed by the Coast Guard on Monday evening.
The crew, alongside two Bermudians, departed Bermuda on a Gulfstream G100 jet operated by Latitude Air Ambulance in Hamilton, heading to the United States. The Bermudians were identified by the Bermuda government as 66-year-old Marilyn Lavonne Bean and her 41-year-old son, Sergio Wayne Lottimore, who were confirmed as the passengers by the Coast Guard.
Rear Adm. Matthew Lake, commander of the Coast Guard Northeast District, expressed condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragic incident. He commended the swift response of the crews and partner agencies involved and pledged ongoing support to the Canadian authorities during their investigation.
Latitude President Peter Byl emphasized that the crew members were more than just names; they were valued colleagues, friends, and integral parts of the company’s family. He spoke highly of each crew member’s unique qualities and contributions to the company and the patients they served.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSBC) announced its leadership in the investigation due to the Canadian registration of the jet. Initial indications point to a possible malfunction in the jet’s electrical system, as per the agency. Latitude acknowledged the grim reality of the situation, accepting that the chances of finding survivors from the downed jet, named Heartbeat 104, were slim.
Despite extensive search efforts by the Coast Guard and National Guard, including the deployment of various search assets, no survivors were found. The recovery of the black box, containing crucial data, had not been achieved by Sunday morning. Efforts were underway to utilize sonar-equipped craft to scan the seabed floor in the area where debris from the jet was located.
Latitude affirmed its commitment to full cooperation with investigative authorities as recovery operations progress. The company emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation process to determine the cause of the accident and refrained from speculating on the incident. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath expressed profound sadness over the loss of life and extended condolences to all those impacted by the tragedy.
The Coast Guard pledged continued collaboration with Canadian authorities and urged individuals who discover jet debris in the water to contact the TSBC for further assistance.
