The name of the helicopter pilot killed in a crash Tuesday while on a training exercise near Chilliwack has been released by the RCMP.
David Brolin was 46 years old and joined the RCMP in June, 2006.
In a brief statement released late yesterday, Chief Superintendent Wayne Rideout said the RCMP helicopter crashed after successfully completing a training exercise near Cultus Lake and was preparing to return to base.
"At this point, there are many unanswered questions and the Transportation Safety Board and the British Columbia Coroners Service is conducting the investigation," he said.
Brolin was a civilian member of the RCMP and was the sole occupant of the helicopter. He was taken to hospital by members of the RCMP Emergency Response Team who were part of the training exercise.
"I want to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time," Rideout said in the statement.
The aircraft went down at around 2 p.m. during a training mission near Cultus Lake.
Transportation investigators are expected on the crash site Wednesday.
A Progress reporter and other media were turned away from a former military training site off the Liumchen Creek Forest Service Road.
A road leading into the area was closed to traffic.
The Air 5 helicopter was most often called in for searches and to rescue lost hikers and climbers.
More details on this website as they come available.