One dead after Canadian Forces Snowbird plane crashes in Kamloops, B.C. (updated)

8:28 p.m. update:

Village Media partner site HalifaxToday has confirmed the identity of one of the people on board. Captain Jenn Casey, who served as a spokesperson for the Snowbirds, was on the plane when it crashed.

The Snowbirds have also updated the condition of the survivor. Their injuries "are not considered life threatening."

Via HalifaxToday:

Just two weeks ago, Casey told NEWS 95.7 about how the Snowbirds would visit Nova Scotia as part of Operation Inspiration, a cross-country tour to boost morale during COVID-19.

Casey grew up in Halifax, getting a Bachelor of Arts at Dalhousie University and attending journalism school at the University of King's College. Prior to joining the Canadian Armed Forces, Jenn was an employee of NEWS 95.7 working as a reporter, an anchor and as a producer for The Rick Howe Show.

According to her online profile with the Air Force, Casey has been with the Snowbirds since November 2018. The RCAF confirmed in a Tweet that Casey's family has been notified.

Captain Jenn Casey (Photo via RCAF)

7:42 p.m. update:

The Royal Canadian Air Force confirmed on social media that one of its Snowbird members has died and one has sustained serious injuries.

5:27 p.m. update:

Via Castanet Kamloops:

Witness accounts of a Canadian Air Force Snowbird crash in Kamloops on Glenview Avenue continue to come in. It is believed there were two occupants of the plane when it crashed, but BC Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a tweet one person has been transported to hospital.

Kenny Hinds, who lives in a house seven doors down from the crash site, said it looked like the living room of the house where the crash occurred was on fire.

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

"So there was a bunch of people running around trying to see if we could get into the house to see if anybody's OK."

Marni Capostinsky said she lives across the street from the crash site and was out on the deck when she heard the plane getting closer.

"We ran out under the cover to look and saw something black coming towards us, everyone hit the deck it was so loud," she said.

Capostinsky said there were large flames flaring on and off and a strong toxic smell filled the air.

She said her son immediately ran out with a hose and neighbours tried to help before first responders arrived.

"It was really scary but good to see everyone trying to come together," Capostinsky said.

Hinds had been watching the aircraft after hearing them take off, and said he was able to see the crash.

"I heard 'bang, bang,' and just as I looked before it left my view from the house beside me, I saw the Snowbird going straight down," he said. "I saw what looked like a parachute about, say, 20 feet over the house, and it disappeared from sight, and the parachute hadn't fully deployed yet — it was still sort of straight up and down."

4:15 p.m. original story:

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Police and fire crews are on the scene where a Canadian Forces Snowbird plane has crashed near the Kamloops, B.C. airport.

Via Glacier Media's Castanet Kamloops:

It is confirmed that a single Snowbird plane has crashed in Kamloops a couple of blocks from the airport. 

Air Force, ambulance, police, fire crews and BC Hydro are on scene. 

One person is being rescued off of a roof at this time.  

Resident Cory Pelton posted a video on his Facebook page showing the two Snowbirds taking off from the Kamloops airport and films the one that eventually crashes. 

Before the plane hits the ground you're able to see two occupants eject from the plane. 

Still no word on injuries to those in the plane and any residents around the area where the plane crashed. 

WARNING: The video below contains profanity

Kim Maloney tells Castanet that she heard the Snowbirds flying over her house and she decided to head out to watch them take-off when she heard "an earth shaking bang and instantly smoke."

Fellow neighbour Tammy Franzman was outside doing something and saw the two planes loop around. Once she noticed one crashed she called 911 but couldn't get through because it was busy. 

Resident Grant Mcinnes saw the tragic event unfold.

"Oh, [it was] a big boom, a big boom!" 

"The two planes took off together, they climbed - I don't know how high - the one really climbed and the other one started to spin and then boom. I didn't see the pilot bail out but he bailed out late apparently."

The Royal Canadian Air Force has released a brief statement regarding the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aircraft that crashed in Kamloops.

"This is a developing situation. Our priority at this time is determining the status of our personnel and supporting emergency personnel. When appropriate, more information will be made available."

They thanked the emergency crews that are providing ongoing support at the scene. 

From The Canadian Press:

The Snowbirds aerobatics team was scheduled to make a trip from Kamloops to Vernon today as part of Operation Inspiration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operation Inspiration started in Nova Scotia earlier this month and features the team's signature nine-jet formation. It was aimed at boosting morale as Canadians continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The scheduled start was delayed because of rain and low visibility.

Operation Inspiration followed a similar initiative south of the border, where the U.S. military's own flight demonstration teams have been flying in honour of front-line workers and first responders.

The following video of the Snowbirds flying from Salmon Arm to Kamloops was posted by the aerobatic team this morning: