Regina pilot killed in air ambulance crash remembered for life-saving career

A young pilot from Regina who lost his life doing what he loved is being remembered for his kindness, faith, and passion for helping others.

Thomas Henry Farquhar, known to friends and family as Tommy, was among six people aboard an air ambulance that went down over the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 3.

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The 25-year-old was working as a first officer for Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance when the aircraft disappeared off the coast of Massachusetts.

Now, his family is hoping to carry on his legacy by helping others pursue their dreams of flying.

The Tommy Farquhar Aviation Scholarship Fund has been established at Prairie College in Three Hills, Alta., where Farquhar graduated from the Prairie Aviation Training Centre in 2023.

The scholarship will support aspiring pilots who share his passion for aviation and his commitment to helping people in need.

Farquhar moved from Regina to Alberta in 2021 to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.

He chose Prairie College because he wanted to study aviation in an environment that reflected his Christian faith.

It was also where he met his wife, Kayla, who was studying aviation.

Dallas Derksen, director of the Prairie Aviation Training Centre, remembers Farquhar as someone whose enthusiasm and kindness left an impression on everyone around him.

“Tommy’s passion for life and the joy that he had was evident to everyone around him. His relationship with Jesus was very important to him, and his faith impacted every part of his life,” Derksen said in a statement.

“Flying with Latitude gave him the opportunity to use his skill and ability and to help those in need, living out his faith in a very real and practical way.”

The college remembers Farquhar as a bright, happy presence on campus, rarely without a smile.

He also shared his musical talents during chapel services and was known for his good-natured personality.

Prairie College president and CEO Mark L. Maxwell said the school community is feeling the loss.

“Learning of Tommy’s death has left a hole in many hearts. We mourn with the Farquhar family, his wife Kayla, and all his loved ones,” Maxwell said.

Farquhar was one of four Canadians working aboard the Gulfstream G100 medical aircraft, known as Heartbeat 104.

The plane was travelling from Bermuda to Boston with a patient and a family member when it lost contact with air traffic control.

Debris from the aircraft was later discovered off the coast of Nantucket. The United States Coast Guard suspended its search on Oct. 4, and all six people aboard are presumed dead.

Latitude Air Ambulance remembered Farquhar as a “gentle giant” who was always willing to lend a helping hand.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating what caused the crash.

For Farquhar’s family and the Prairie College community, the scholarship offers a way to remember the young pilot while helping others follow a similar path.

The fund will support future pilots who want to use their training not only to fly, but to make a difference in others’ lives.

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