Update 8 p.m., Saturday, June 3
The occupants of the aircraft have been identified as Ted (Edward) Dirstein, 66-years-old of Bracebridge Ontario, and Allan Metivier, 48-years-old of Stratford Ontario, say police.
The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) today confirmed that, on June 2, 2017 at approximately 5:07 pm members of The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received multiple calls of a plane crash that had occurred on Highway 11 Northbound south of the Highway 118 turnoff.
"Officers attended the scene and located two male occupants that were deceased," say police. "Muskoka Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Bracebridge Fire Department also attended the scene to assist. The OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT) utilizing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has also assisted with this investigation."
The Bracebridge OPP has remained on the scene on June 3, 2017 to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) and the Office of the Chief Coroner with their investigations.
The aircraft had departed Muskoka Airport shortly before being involved in the crash. The cause is being investigated. During the investigation both northbound and southbound lanes had been closed for a period of time but have since been re-opened.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to please call any of the following with your information:
The TSB Media Relations line at 819-994-8053 or Bracebridge OPP at (888)310-1122 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
You can submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information.
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Update 10 p.m. Friday, June 2
OPP confirm two men dead, in their forties and fifties, in the plane crash. One man from Stratford the other from Bracebridge.
All lanes open.
Cause of the crash is undetermined. There were no flames or smoke coming from the aircraft.
Witness says the plane was making a very steep descent to the runway.
Crash happened just before 5 p.m.
Plane was amphibious. All flights into and out of Muskoka Airport were cancelled.
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Update 6:15 OPP have reopened the southbound lanes but the northbound lanes remain closed.
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Original story:
Bracebridge OPP is reporting that north and southbound lanes are closed between Hwy 118 & Doe Lake Rd #Gravenhurst: Reopening time unknown.
The cause is believed to be a small plane crash near the Muskoka airport and a jack-knifed tractor-trailer near Highway 118.
The tractor trailer jack-knifed trying to turn around at the scene of the crash and is blocking traffic according to OPP sources.
The plane crashed on the shoulder of the highway.
Reports say two people died in the plane crash, but still unconfirmed by OPP.
