Blachford Lake (Jan 08/07) - Just two hours after the Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton got a call that a plane was missing near Yellowknife, flight crews from Winnipeg were in the air on their way to the NWT.

Sgt. Dave Payne, a Search and Rescue (SAR) technician from 413 Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, jumps during the parachute accuracy event at Goose Spit during SAREX 04. SAR Technicians had to jump onto the wreckage site near Blachford Lake to save the sole survivor of a plane that was reported missing last Wednesday. - photo courtesy of Warrant Officer Peter Veldhuizen Canadian Forces Combat Camera

The first Hercules aircraft, carrying a seven member crew, got to Yellowknife in just two hours, flying at top speeds of 554 km/hour according to Captain Pierre Bolduc, air controller at 424 Search and Rescue/Transport Squadron in Trenton.

"They told us the aircraft was missing and we took off," said Bolduc.

The first aircraft arrived very early Thursday morning, but had difficulties performing a search in the darkness.

"We sent the second Hercules, because we knew the first couldn't fly all night," said Bolduc. The second arrived during daylight hours and found the aircraft within an hour, between approximately 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. according to Bolduc.

Bolduc also said that two Griffon Helicopters were sent, each carrying a four-person-crew.

Upon finding the aircraft, crew members parachuted into the site and inspected the scene. The crew at that point discovered the three dead and the one survivor. The personnel performed immediate first aid, and had the person ready for transport by the time the Griffon Helicopters arrived on scene. The helicopter then transported the survivor to Stanton Territorial Hospital.

The military Griffon helicopters were used to fly RCMP officers and the coroner to the scene.

But, the coroner could not finish his investigation before dark and they had to fly out early, according to Bolduc. At that point the RCMP took over the investigation, and the 19 -member crew, including the two Griffon Helicopters and the two Hercules aircraft returned to their respective bases Thursday night and Friday morning, he said.

"In this case, they worked 14 to 15 hour days before the mission was complete," said Bolduc.

The rescuers involved in the search were Search and Rescue Technicians, a trade specializing in search and rescue operations. According to Bolduc the members, trained in Comox, B.C., are trained as advanced paramedic, and in parachuting, diving, and mountain climbing.