Bermuda police have named Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66, and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore, 41, as two of six people presumed dead following the disappearance of a Gulfstream G100 air ambulance off Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, early Saturday.
The aircraft, operated by Canadian company Latitude Air Ambulance, was carrying out a medevac flight designated Heartbeat 104 from Bermuda to Boston. On board were the two Bermudians and four Canadian crew members. The US Coast Guard located debris confirmed to originate from the aircraft and suspended active search operations at the weekend, transitioning to recovery efforts.
Latitude Air Ambulance said the organisation must now "face the heartbreaking reality" that all aboard are presumed to have perished. The company described its four crew members as "valued members of the Latitude family" who were engaged in a medical mission when the incident occurred.
Governor Andrew Murdoch characterised the loss as "sudden and unexpected" and noted that the aircraft's medical purpose "makes this tragedy especially poignant". Premier David Burt said the government's "first thoughts are with the families of those so tragically lost".
Lottimore held the position of senior vice-president and head of speciality reinsurance at Hamilton Reinsurance Bermuda. He was a former student and school prefect at Warwick Academy, graduating in 2002. The school said he would "be remembered with great fondness by those who knew him".
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, recognised the crew's commitment to supporting families "during some of life's most difficult moments". Opposition Leader Ben Smith urged the community to extend comfort to those affected, saying the island has been "shattered" by the unexpected tragedy.
US and Canadian transportation authorities are investigating the incident. A family liaison officer from the Bermuda Police Service is supporting relatives of Bean and Lottimore.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.