The victim of Tuesday’s float plane crash off Vancouver Island has been identified as former B.C. MLA Harold Long.
The crash took place near Campbell River, B.C. which is located on Vancouver Island's east coast and is 257 kilometres north of Victoria.
Long was the sole occupant of the Beaver float plane that overturned into Bute Inlet. He died at the scene and divers recovered his body later in the day.
A spokesman for the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria said nobody reported hearing or seeing the crash, and the plane was found upside down by someone who came across the scene.
A longtime Powell River-area resident, Long served as the Social Credit member in the Mackenzie riding from 1986 to 1991, and then again as the Liberal MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast from 2001 to 2005.
He also served as the BC Ferries director before returning to work for his family transportation business.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark said Long was always working to make his community and province a better place.
"I served with Harold in the Legislature from 2001 to 2005 and will never forget his wise counsel and belief in giving back to BritishColumbia in ways big and small,” Clark said in a statement.
He was 72.
