‘It’s gutting’: North Island community mourns the loss of one of their own following Tuesday’s helicopter crash

The Town of Port McNeill's day-to-day activities came to halt so the community could grieve after learning that one of their own, a beloved North Islander was killed in Tuesday's helicopter crash. The post ‘It’s gutting’: North Island community mourns the loss of one of their own following Tuesday’s helicopter crash appeared first on CHEK .

The Town of Port McNeill’s day-to-day activities came to halt so the community could grieve after learning that one of their own, a beloved North Islander who was killed in Tuesday’s helicopter crash. Mayor James Furney of Port McNeill says the entire North Island community is mourning the loss of Riley Browne, one of two people on board who died tragically on Tuesday . “It’s gutting.

The wind comes right out of you. A frown firmly attaches to your face and you just don’t bounce back. This is going to put a bit of a cloud over our community and the members for a significant period of time.

It’s not going to go away quickly unfortunately,” says Furney. By Tuesday night, the community came to a pause in light of the news. Western Forest Products shuttered operations, the scheduled town council meeting was cancelled on short notice, and the local softball league put their bats down for the night.

“The main employer [WFP] shut down, the town council cancelled the meeting without any question,” recalls Furney. “We’re definitely grieving this together and I hope the family can feel that support from the extended community.

Everyone I talk to is impacted by this.” The loss of Browne to the tight-knit community with deep family roots is going to have a lasting impact Furney says. “Hugely popular family.

The reach from this family is throughout the North Island, hugely through Port McNeill,” says Furney who describes Browne as a sports enthusiast, hockey lover and loved by all. He hasn’t spoken to the family yet, saying he’s giving them time and space to grieve as a family. Browne was raised in Woss and went to high school in Port McNeill before becoming a helcopter pilot with West Coast Helicopters, serving the North Island community.

“It’s a close knit community. The friends are there, the family’s there. It’s a tough one,” Furney said.

Since the tragedy happened, Furney’s phone has been ringing non-stop with messages from other communities and leaders. “I had a call last night from Ravi Parmar, the forest minister, a call from Aaron Gunn our federal MP and touched base with Anna Kindy our provincial MLA, so everybody knows what this does in a small community and it’s not going to go away quick, it’s going to impact us for quite some time,” he said. Gunn posted on X, “My condolences to the family, community and all those at West Coast Helicopters, and CFMG, who are grieving during this difficult time.

Whether it is mining, forestry or oil and gas, this is a good reminder of the inherent risks many of our resource workers face on a daily basis.” Very saddened to hear of the terrible and tragic helicopter accident yesterday during forestry operations in the North Island, that left two deceased and one seriously injured. My condolences to the family, community and all those at West Coast Helicopters, and CFMG, who are... — Aaron Gunn (@AaronGunn) July 15, 2026 Mayor of Campbell River Kermit Dahl posted a message online Wednesday sending “heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and I wish a full recovery to the individual who was seriously injured.”

The mayor of Port McNeill says there’s not straight forward plan ahead for the coming days, except to offer support and allow the community time to grieve. “I think this is the first significant real hit to the town since I’ve been mayor for almost four years. Tough one.” READ PREVIOUS: Fatal helicopter crash in B.C. claims the lives of 2 The post ‘It’s gutting’:

North Island community mourns the loss of one of their own following Tuesday’s helicopter crash appeared first on CHEK .