Prince Albert man in helicopter crash identified as Dean Gervais

The Prince Albert man killed in a helicopter crash last week near Paynton has been identified as Dean Gervais.

The 30-year-old was the passenger in the helicopter.

Gervais leaves behind a two-year-old daughter and his partner, who is due to have another baby in December.

A GoFundMe page, with a description of Gervais saying he, “was a great guy who lived life to the fullest”, has been set up to help the family. So far, with 182 donations, they have raised over $21,000.

One donator commented, “Rest in peace Dean, you will be missed by all.”

INVESTIGATING THE SCENE

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has released the first photo of a helicopter crash that left two men dead near Paynton last week.

The helicopter was being contracted to install aerial markers on a new power line crossing the North Saskatchewan River in the area of Paynton.

The helicopter crashed down in an area that was difficult to reach. TSB investigators weren’t able to get to the scene until late Friday to start their work at the scene sometime over the weekend.

The 55-year-old man piloting the helicopter was from Campbell River, B.C.

Paynton is about 57 kilometres northwest of the Battlefords.