Two N.W.T. wildfire fighters identified after June 24 plane crash near Fort Simpson
Olivier Lamy and Ryan Beck died when a Turbo Commander 690 crashed during aerial firefighting operations. A third person's identity remains unreleased.
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Two of three people who died in a plane crash near Fort Simpson on June 24 have been identified as Olivier Lamy and Ryan Beck, both members of NWT Fire's aerial firefighting team.
Lamy was an air attack officer who previously fought wildfires with Parks Canada. Beck, in his second season as an air attack officer trainee, was a father to a seven-month-old son and a hobbyist axe-thrower. Buffalo Airways confirmed one of its aerial firefighting pilots also died in the crash; that person's identity has not been released by officials.
"Their loss is a wound that cannot be repaired and is felt far and wide in the wildfire community," NWT Fire said in a statement. "They lost their lives in the line of duty protecting people and communities across the N.W.T."
Lamy was described as fearless with a sense of humour that put everyone at ease. During off-seasons, he travelled to Thailand to train. Beck was known for loving his crew and putting others before himself.
A celebration of life for Beck, 25, is set for Friday in Yellowknife. The Turbo Commander 690 crash is being investigated by NWT Fire, RCMP, and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
The wildfire that downed the aircraft has grown to roughly 150 square kilometres, forcing about 1,300 residents of Fort Simpson to evacuate. Many are sheltering at a gymnasium-turned-evacuation centre in Yellowknife, nearly 700 kilometres east of the village. Environment Canada forecast upwards of 15 millimetres of rain before ending Thursday afternoon—a welcome sight for the region.
