The four people who were inside the plane that crashed in Lake Country on Thursday evening have been identified.
The Cessna Citation aircraft left Kelowna International Airport on Thursday evening and reportedly crashed around 9:30 p.m. According to BC RCMP, officers and a police dog reached the crash scene shortly after midnight, but were not able to locate any survivors.
In a Facebook post by 83 Juno Beach Royal Canadian Air Cadets, they identified the pilot as Jim Kruk. Kruk was involved with 88 ‘Lynx’ Squadron in Airdrie and acted as the SSC advisor among other engagements with the cadets.
“Jim leaves behind a family with a great connection to the cadet program, and the Canadian Armed Forces and we are saddened along with our entire community. Our thoughts are with all who lost their lives, and their families,” the Facebook post stated.
Former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice, Calgary optometrist Dr. Ken Gellatly and businessman Sheldon Reid were also reportedly killed in the crash.
According to a Facebook post by Prentice's family, Gellatly was the father-in-law of one of Prentice's daughter.
"Words cannot begin to express our profound shock and heartbreak at the news that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Jim, has died in this tragic event. In addition, another member of our family was also on the plane, Ken Gellatly, the father-in-law of one of our daughters, also a very special man," the post read.
Politicians and Canadians were quick to tweet their condolences to all of the families involved in the crash.
I will remember @JimPrentice as one of the most affable, respected public servants, whose humility emboldened his intellect. Rest in peace.
— Lisa Raitt (@lraitt) October 14, 2016
Shocked & saddened at the loss of @JimPrentice. Our deepest sympathies to his family,friends & all our AB neighbours pic.twitter.com/ZKE7HfTsCa
— Brad Wall (@PremierBradWall) October 14, 2016
Ardent Albertan; patriotic Canadian; devoted public servant & loving father. My heart goes out to Jim Prentice’s family today. Such a loss.
— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) October 14, 2016
Travel well Mr. #JimPrentice ... thank you for your dedication to public service and your many years of hard work for our province.
— jann arden (@jannarden) October 14, 2016
According to the Transportation Safety Board, investigators are in Kelowna and will be collecting data from the scene of the crash. They will review the aircraft maintenance record and will look over wreckage to see if there needs to be a full investigation.
During a press conference on Friday afternoon, Corp. Dan Moskaluk said there was catastrophic damage at the crash site. He also said that the site is steep, hilly and will be hard to navigate.
KelownaNow will continue to update this story when more information becomes available.
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