NORTH BAY - Village Media has learned the identity of the pilot who perished in Tuesday afternoon’s helicopter crash in Stouffville.
The pilot was Jim Armstrong, a Sudbury native who has worked at Essential Helicopters in North Bay since 2010 and has been a helicopter pilot since 1998.Friends of Armstrong began mourning his death Tuesday night.
“So devastated!!!!...my longtime friend Jim Armstrong was in a tragic helicopter accident today,” said Tamara Hyland on Facebook Tuesday night.
“I know many of my friends on Facebook know him well and I am sorry to be the bearer of this news. I am still in shock.. I love you so much Jimmy, why did this have to happen.”
Other friends say they will remember Armstrong for his smile and contagious laugh.
Essential Helicopters released a statement Wednesday afternoon about the crash but would not confirm the name of the pilot.
"It has been confirmed that one of our aircraft and a senior pilot were involved in a crash on Tuesday, September 25th,” the statement said.“We are deeply saddened to have lost a long time friend, colleague and experienced pilot. We are working closely with the Transportation Safety Board and as such will not be commenting further.
“We would like to thank all who have reached out to us to offer support. Ours is an amazing industry.”
Armstrong reportedly left North Bay at 1:30 p.m. for Buttonville Airport but around 2:20 p.m. Tuesday the helicopter went down in a wooded area of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
- BayToday.ca
