Investigators are on their way to the wreckage of yesterday's fatal plane crash on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
Cpl. Darren Lagan of the Tofino RCMP says police, search and rescue crews, and the BC Coroners Service were travelling by ground after poor weathers conditions prevented going by air.
The crash killed two people -- the other four people on board survived, though one is in hospital in critical condition.
None of the identities of those on board have been released.
Police say the cause of the crash remains under investigation, but there is no indication of foul play.
The Air Nootka plane left Hesquiaht Lake, about 85 kilometres northwest of Tofino, on Friday morning, but an emergency beacon was activated minutes after takeoff and the plane crashed soon afterward.
Police say the De Havilland Beaver float plane was carrying five hikers and was en route to Gold River, about 40 kilometres to the northeast.
The crash triggered a search that involved multiple aircraft, as well as an RCMP vessel, but difficult terrain and poor weather hampered those efforts. The plane's wreckage was later discovered just north of the lake.
Local First Nations bands also helped in the search.
Lagan said it was a difficult search to find the crash site.
"It's a fairly dense forested area," he said.
There was "rain falling, there's some light wind in the area and limited visibility. The waters are described as being rough -- not terribly dangerous seas, but certainly higher than you would typically see in the summer months."
Air Nootka, a commercial float plane operator based in Gold River,said that the company is cooperating with RCMP and TSB investigations.
"All Air Nootka Aircraft are professionally maintainted to the highest standards by an independent company," the company said in a statement posted on its website. "Providing reliable, efficient and safe service to our many customers is our primary objective and Air Nootka is continuing operations from its Gold River headquarters."
With files from The Canadian Press
