One Dead After Canadian Aerobatic Jet Crash

A crew member of the Royal Canadian Air Force's aerobatic team has been killed after one of its jets crashed into a British Columbia neighbourhood.

The incident happened during a flypast, intended to boost morale amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Another member of the Snowbirds aerobatic team was seriously injured in the crash in Kamloops.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Captain Jennifer Casey and the injuring of Captain Richard MacDougall.

Capt Casey served as a spokeswoman for the Snowbirds, whilst Capt MacDougall is a team coordinator and the pilot of the crashed aircraft.

He survived the crash by landing on the roof of a house and the Royal Canadian Air Force said his injuries "are not considered life-threatening".

Footage posted online appears to show at least one person ejecting from the plane before it disappears behind a stand of trees and an explosion is heard.

In a statement, Mr Trudeau said: “For the past two weeks, the Snowbirds have been flying across the country to lift up Canadians during these difficult times

“Their flyovers across the country put a smile on the faces of Canadians everywhere and make us proud.”

The morale-boosting mission is now on indefinite hold and the fleet of Tutor jets has been placed on operational pause.

The RAF's Red Arrows also sent its condolences following the crash.

"We were privileged to work with Jenn [Capt Casey] in 2019 and her wonderful personality, professionalism and passion - to inspire through aviation - were obvious," it said in a statement.

"Thoughts are with her loved ones, the entire Snowbirds family and our Canadian friends."

Canada’s defence department said emergency crews were responding to the incident.

On the ground, civilians were evacuated from the area and one house was set on fire as a result of the incident.

Kenny Hinds, who lives seven houses down from the crash site, said: "I just started running down the street. And I got there maybe a minute after it crashed and there was a couple of residents that had their hoses out and they were trying to put the flames out because it hit a house.

“It looked like most of it landed in the front yard, but maybe a wing or something went through the roof perhaps.”

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the cause of Sunday's crash is under investigation.

It comes after the downing of another Snowbird aircraft in the US last October.

Cover image: Members of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds at the scene of the crash in Kamloops (Picture: PA).