Victim of float plane crash ‘would light up a room’
The 20-year-old pilot who survived a float plane crash in B.C.’s South Chilcotin region was recovering in hospital Friday, as friends and family mourned the deaths of two passengers.
The pilot, who has been identified as Spencer Neufeld from Williams Lake, is recovering from surgery at a hospital in Kamloops.
Two other men, 20-year-old Michael Hiebert from Prince George and a 29-year-old man from Aldergrove, died after the plane crashed shortly after takeoff Wednesday on Tyaughton Lake, located 100 kilometres west of Lillooet.
Hiebert was described as a genuine friend who had an adventurous spirit. “He would light up a room,” said Ashley McComber, a friend who worked at Northland Dodge in Prince George with Hiebert. “He was super friendly and always had an open heart.”
McComber didn’t know why Hiebert was on the plane, but said he was always searching for the next adventure.
She said he was the youngest member of his family and had eight older sisters.
Tributes poured in on social media, many of which praised Hiebert for being an awesome friend and always having a smile on his face.
“Can’t believe you’re gone, you are very missed. Fly high brother ... till we meet again,” wrote Jasmin Vickers.
“My one and only baby brother ... there are no words for the loss we feel ... you were an amazing man, a wonderful uncle and a great brother. Not many can say they have eight sisters but you handled us all with ease. You had a zest for life my beloved brother and I will be forever grateful for the time I had with you,” wrote Meagan Groff.
The Neufeld family issued a statement through Interior Health, thanking everyone who expressed concern about their son.
“Spencer is recovering after undergoing surgery at Royal Inland Hospital. We are grateful that his injuries are non-life threatening. Spencer would like to thank the people who came to his rescue and saved his life after the accident, as well as the staff at Royal Inland Hospital for his continuing care,” the Neufeld family said.