Updated 4:56 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20:
Prince George RCMP have confirmed one person died after a Beech King Air 200 made an emergency landing on Foothills Boulevard near Highland Drive, about 1.5 kilometres north of North Nechako Road, Thursday afternoon.
Mounties were notified of the incident around 2:20 p.m.
When officers arrived, they determined two vehicles were also involved. Police confirmed the person who died was an occupant of one of the vehicles.
Police said any potential injuries to occupants of the other vehicle, as well as those aboard the plane, were unknown.
“Investigators would like to remind the public that this is an active investigation and that they need to stay away from the area,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper. “It removes valuable police resources from this investigation as well as the regular calls for service if RCMP must station police officers at every access point to Foothills Boulevard to keep the curious onlookers away, of which there have already been too many. Please allow room for our first responders to work safely.”
Foothills Boulevard remained closed to traffic in both directions and was expected to remain closed overnight and into Friday. Drivers were advised to use alternate routes.
RCMP said the Transportation Safety Board of Canada would take over the investigation.
Updated 4:28 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20:
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada was notified of the incident involving vehicles and a Beech King Air 200 Thursday afternoon.
The agency said a team of investigators would be deployed to Prince George and was expected to arrive Friday.
Updated 3:28 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20:
A plane made an emergency landing on Foothills Boulevard in Prince George on Thursday, with two vehicles also involved in the incident.
According to RCMP, eight people were believed to have been aboard a King Air aircraft that made an emergency landing near Highland Drive around 2:30 p.m.
Police said the road would be closed for the foreseeable future.
RCMP said there were also unconfirmed reports of injuries.
The Prince George Airport Authority said airport emergency response resources were placed on standby in preparation for a possible landing at Prince George Airport.
The airport authority said the aircraft did not make it to the airport and the airport’s emergency response was subsequently stood down.
Original story:
Prince George Fire Rescue was responding to a serious motor vehicle incident involving a plane on Foothills Boulevard at Highland Drive.
Residents were asked to avoid the area because the road was expected to be closed for several hours.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
With files from Brendan Pawliw and Zachary Barrowcliff, My Prince George Now
