Suzanne Jutras, Gabriel Jasmin, Chantal Raymond and Loucas Perreault from Quebec are the victims of a helicopter crash that occurred Saturday afternoon on Montreal’s South Shore.
Provincial police, Sûreté du Québec (SQ), were called to the scene around 2:30 p.m. after a helicopter crashed in a field near Rang des Écossais off Highway 10 in the Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville municipality. The four victims were declared dead at the scene.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
CTV News spoke to Jutras’ stepbrother and neighbour, who confirmed she was among the victims. Jutras, 50, was a pilot for several years, giving helicopter tours and owning two helicopters.
In a Facebook post, Les Félixeries, a family festival in the municipality of Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, wrote that she had been their pilot for three years.
“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our favorite pilot of the past three years, Suzanne Jutras, in a terrible accident. We extend our deepest condolences to her partner, family, friends, and all those who had the good fortune to share her passion,” the post reads.
“We salute you… Thank you for taking us up into the skies with your kindness."
The Haut-Richelieu UPA Union, which represents agricultural producers in its regions, wrote in a Facebook post that Jutras’ husband, Yves Boulais, is a field crop farmer and former dairy farmer in the region.
“It is with deep sadness that the Haut-Richelieu UPA learned of the tragic death of Ms. Suzanne Jutras, which occurred following a helicopter accident,” the post reads.
“During this difficult time, the board of directors of the Haut-Richelieu UPA, along with the entire farming community, would like to offer their deepest condolences to Yves, their family, their loved ones, and everyone affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with you during this time of great sorrow.”
A Facebook post by Océane Perreault confirmed that the other three victims in the crash were her partner, Gabriel Jasmin, her mother, Chantal Raymond, and her brother, Loucas Perreault.
She wrote that the helicopter ride was supposed to mark her mother’s birthday.
“On September 26, a part of my world flew away into the sky. A helicopter ride that was supposed to be a highlight of my wonderful mom’s celebration turned into a tragedy I could never have imagined,” the post reads.
“I don’t have the words to describe the pain, the shock, and the emptiness I feel. Three people I love more than anything were taken from me far too soon, right before my eyes.”
Jasmin hosted a show on Sherbrooke-based radio station 106.1 Énergie. He has a daughter with Océane Perreault.
Bell Media, which owns the radio station, offered its condolences to the family and said psychological support would be available to Sherbrooke team members on Monday.
Martin Perreault, Raymond’s husband, wrote in a social media post that he and Raymond had been married for nearly 40 years.
“I have lost Chantal, my better half for nearly 40 years, a wonderful mother, my best friend, and my constant companion. We built a life, a family, and so many memories together,” he wrote.
“She was by my side through the good times and the hardest times, always there, always loving. A huge part of my life is gone with her, but everything we experienced together will remain etched in my memory forever.”
Perreault wrote that his son, Loucas Perreault, was his pride and his son-in-law, Jasmin, was an integral part of his family.
“I have lost Loucas, my son, my pride and joy, my legacy. I watched him grow up and become the man he was with such pride. He still had so many plans, so much left to accomplish. To me, he wasn’t just my son—he was also the one with whom I shared my knowledge, my work, my plans, and a part of my future. I was so proud of him and of the man he had become,” he wrote.
“And Gabriel, my son-in-law, who had become such an integral part of our family. With his zest for life, his sense of humor, and his big heart, he knew how to make everyone laugh and brighten any moment simply by being there. He was an extraordinary, caring, and loving dad, and seeing all the love he had for his family warmed my heart. Gabriel, you were so much more than a son-in-law to me—you were a full-fledged member of the family.”
CTV News, BNN Bloomberg, and CP24 are owned by Bell Media, which is a division of BCE.
