.JPG;w=960)
The City of Dryden reported a plane carrying six passengers and two crew travelled off the main runway shortly after 4 p.m. CST on Feb. 24.
"We can confirm there is no life-threatening injuries and all passengers and crew are being cared for on-site. The Transportation Safety Board has been notified and there is no presence of hazardous material," said the municipality in a news release.
In a statement, airport manager Tiffany Coffey said at 4:05 p.m. CST, “the aircraft became disabled off the side of runway, 150 metres from the threshold, due to an aborted take-off on the initial take-off roll.”
The airport’s emergency response plan was activated and emergency crews attended the scene.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is not attending the scene but is investigating the incident remotely. The agency gave permission for airport perimeter and maintenance crews to remove the aircraft and inspect the runway for any debris.
The runway reopened at 10 p.m.
“Emergency responders, airline, and airport personnel communicated and worked well together at the scene and have conducted an initial debrief," said Coffey.
City of Dryden treasurer, Steven-Lansdell-Roll was pleased with the successful execution of the airport’s response plan.
“The annual and ongoing emergency management training that the City undertakes enabled us to effectively and efficiently respond to this incident. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who responded and provided care.”
Various media outlets in Thunder Bay reported that the aircraft was carrying Thunder Bay curlers Krista McCarville, Ashley Sippala, and Rick Lang onboard a Bearskin Airlines flight.
