A mother of two was killed after a twin-engine plane experiencing engine trouble made an emergency landing on a busy roadway in Prince George, British Columbia, crashing into her vehicle.
Garneau was described as "a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and the hockey mom" who was deeply involved in her children's activities. "She had a way of making people feel like they belonged all while having so much fun," the fundraiser stated. As of Aug. 24, the GoFundMe had raised more than $99,000 toward a $100,000 goal. Deweerd, who said he helped coach Josie on a baseball team over the summer, called the loss "truly tragic" and asked the community to support the family through prayer and donations.
No injuries were reported among those aboard the plane, and the aircraft was operating under contract with Sekani Air Ltd., a Prince George-based charter company, according to Transportation Safety Board aircraft registration records obtained by the news network.
Officials assessed 10 people for injuries, with two taken to hospital in stable condition. Driver Jaime Pawliuk said he was on his way to work when the plane's wing tore through the top of his car. "I have superficial cuts all in my hands. I have glass still in my hair and, luckily, I was able to walk out of it," he told CBC News. Another witness, Mohit Arora, said he watched the plane's wing strike a pickup truck whose driver survived.
Former TSB investigator Bill Yearwood told CBC News that pilots in such emergencies must make rapid decisions with limited options. "The pilot would choose something that has the least risk," Yearwood said, adding it was "puzzling" that the twin-engine plane couldn't stay airborne if its second engine remained functional.