RCMP planning to break from search for victims, plane in Labrador crash

As the search for victims of last Monday'sfloat plane crash in Labrador continues, the RCMP says discussionshave begun to schedule a "rest period" for officers who have nowbeen on site for a week.

Divers have been searching the waters of the remote Mistastin Lake, about 100 kilometres southwest of Nain, since last weekend formissing passengers and the plane.

Seven men, including the pilot, were on board the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver that had been travelling from Three Rivers Lodge toMistastin Lake on July 15.

The body of a 50-year-old fishing guide from Newfoundland and Labrador was found on Wednesday, RCMP confirmed Friday.

Lodge guest John Weaver II of Chicago, fishing guide Dwayne Winsor of Deer Lake, N.L. and another 67-year-old man from NewJersey have also been found dead.

Pilot Gilles Morin of Quebec and Weaver's sons, John Weaver III and Matthew Weaver, are still missing.

The RCMP divers and other rescuers took over the search fromMaritime Forces Atlantic, but the size and depths of the lake have proved challenging.

Cpl. Jolene Garland of the RCMP said Friday that a date to break from the search is being discussed, though a firm end date has notbeen determined.

"We're certainly considering, moving forward, what our next steps might be, that's in the planning stages understanding thatour officers will need a rest period," Garland said Friday.

Federal equipment and personnel on the way

The RCMP, meanwhile, will be getting some help from the federalgovernment.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodalesays he and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan have accepted a requestfrom the Newfoundland and Labrador government to provide assistance with the ongoing recovery efforts.

That assistance will include "equipment and personnel from theCanadian Armed Forces that are able to detect and recover remainsand other items at underwater depth levels found in MistastinLake," Goodale said in a statement issued Friday.

The minister called the crash "a terrible tragedy," and onbehalf of all Canadians extended condolences to the friends andfamilies of those who lost their lives.

The cause of the crash is still unknown.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said earlier this week that investigators would visit the site to inspect the plane afterit has been located and removed from the water.

Jean Tremblay, president of airline Air Saguenay, which owned the plane, said it had recently been inspected and that the pilot hadhigh safety standards.

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