RADIO HOST, 29, AMONG FOUR KILLED IN BIRTHDAY HELICOPTER CRASH AS GIRLFRIEND LOSES HER MUM, BROTHER AND PARTNER

A birthday celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a helicopter crashed and caught fire in Quebec, killing all four people on board.

Among the victims was 29-year-old radio host Gabriel Jasmin, who was taking part in a helicopter ride organised to celebrate the birthday of his mother-in-law, Chantal Raymond.

Chantal, her son Loucas Perreault, Gabriel and the pilot, 50-year-old Suzanne Jutras, all died in the crash.

The helicopter went down at around 2:30 p.m. on September 26 near Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville, about 50 kilometres southeast of Montreal. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after the aircraft crashed into a field and caught fire.

Quebec provincial police confirmed that all four people aboard were pronounced dead at the scene.

A BIRTHDAY TRIP THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

The helicopter ride had been arranged as part of Chantal’s birthday celebrations.

Her daughter, Océane Perreault, was not on board.

Instead, she watched the devastating events unfold from the ground before learning that she had lost three of the people closest to her — her mother, her brother and her partner Gabriel.

Océane and Gabriel shared a one-year-old daughter.

In a heartbreaking tribute, Océane described the helicopter ride as something that was supposed to celebrate her mother but instead changed her family’s lives forever.

She wrote that three people she loved more than anything were gone “far too soon.”

She also described Gabriel as the love of her life and “the best dad in the world.”

GABRIEL WAS A WELL-KNOWN RADIO VOICE

Gabriel worked as a radio host for Énergie 106.1, a Bell Media station serving Quebec’s Eastern Townships.

His death was announced by the station, which offered condolences to his partner, their young daughter, and Gabriel’s family, friends and colleagues.

For those who knew him, Gabriel was not simply a familiar voice on the radio. He was also a partner and father whose life was suddenly cut short at just 29 years old.

CHANTAL’S FAMILY ALSO REMEMBERED

Chantal’s husband, Martin Perreault, paid tribute to his wife of nearly 40 years.

He remembered the life they had built together and the many memories they shared.

He also paid tribute to their son Loucas, describing him as his “pride.”

Gabriel, who had become part of the family, was remembered as an “extraordinary father.”

Océane described her mother as her rock, her comfort and her home, while remembering her brother as her “partner-in-crime.”

She urged people to cherish the ordinary moments with the people they love.

“Hold your loved ones a little tighter,” she wrote, encouraging others to tell their families and friends they love them and not take everyday moments for granted.

EXPERIENCED PILOT ALSO DIED

The fourth victim was Suzanne Jutras, an experienced commercial helicopter pilot.

Reports said she had more than 500 hours of flying experience and regularly operated helicopter rides.

Her partner, Yves Boulais, said she had been carrying out her second helicopter trip of the day when the crash happened.

Jutras had also previously flown helicopter rides at the Les Félixeries festival in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey.

Festival organisers remembered her as a passionate pilot and offered condolences to her loved ones.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The helicopter crashed in a field near Sainte-Brigide-d’Iberville after authorities received reports that the aircraft was experiencing difficulties.

Police initially indicated that the helicopter appeared to have encountered trouble before the crash, while later information indicated that it was returning when the accident occurred.

Investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada were sent to the scene to determine what happened.

The Quebec coroner’s office is also examining the circumstances surrounding the four deaths.

The exact cause of the crash has not yet been established.

For Océane, the tragedy means grieving three loved ones at once while raising the young daughter she shared with Gabriel.

A day meant to celebrate a mother’s birthday instead became a devastating loss for an entire family.

Four lives were lost. One young family was changed forever — and a birthday that began with celebration ended in unimaginable grief.