U.S. Coast Guard identifies all 6 people aboard missing Canadian air ambulance

U.S. Coast Guard identifies all 6 people aboard missing Canadian air ambulance

Safety Board of Canada will be leading the investigation into the incident

The U.S. Coast Guard has named all six people, including four Canadians, who were aboard an Ontario-based air ambulance that went missing off the coast of Massachusetts on Saturday.

The four Canadian crew, employed by Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance, were Philip Gregory Childerhose, Thomas Henry Farquhar, Sarah Jane Paton and Jolene Beth Weir. The two Bermudian passengers are Marilyn Lavonne Bean and Sergio Wayne Lottimore.

"During this incredibly difficult time, our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends impacted by this tragic incident," Rear Adm. Matthew Lake, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District, said in a statement.

'Heartbreaking reality': Crew, passengers of downed medical transport jet are likely dead, company says

4 Canadians aboard missing Ontario-based air ambulance flying from Bermuda

"We are grateful to the crews and partner agencies who quickly responded to this incident, and we will continue to support our Canadian partners as they conduct their investigation."

TSB to investigate air ambulance crash after search called off

The air ambulance was flying to Boston from Bermuda when it went missing on Saturday.

Officials have said the two Bermudians were being airlifted to Boston when the plane lost contact with air-traffic control early Saturday.

Air traffic control audio shows the pilot reported electrical problems and declared an emergency as the jet approached the coast.

The coast guard says debris from the plane was found 32 kilometres off Nantucket and suspended its search on Sunday after scouring roughly 7,000 kilometres of ocean.

"It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the decision by the United States Coast Guard to conclude active search and rescue operations and transition to recovery efforts," Latitude Air Ambulance, the Hamilton-based company that operated the aircraft, said in a statement on Sunday.

"Given the information shared by authorities and the conclusion of the search and rescue phase, we must now face the heartbreaking reality that the four members of our Latitude team, our patient and the patient's family escort, who were aboard … are presumed to have died."