U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for missing Ontario air ambulance

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing medical transport aircraft off the coast of Nantucket, with six people, including four Canadians, believed to be on board. The plane went missing on Saturday while flying from Bermuda to Boston. Rear Admiral Matthew Lake announced the suspension of the search, stating it was a difficult decision and offering condolences to the affected families.

The coast guard search began around 2 a.m. on Saturday after losing contact with the plane, which was operated by Hamilton-based Latitude Air Ambulance. The aircraft was carrying a patient, their family member, and four Canadian crew members. Latitude Air expressed a "heartbreaking reality" that all six lives are presumed lost, and the company is cooperating with authorities while requesting privacy for the families involved.

The search was conducted using various resources including fixed-wing aircraft, boats, and a helicopter, with sonar-equipped craft set to search the sea floor around the debris field. A black box, which could aid in the investigation, has yet to be recovered. Initial reports suggest the plane may have lost navigational instruments due to electrical issues or a storm, leading to a rapid descent and collision with a storm.