Four dead after Ornge helicopter crash in northern Ontario

Ornge, Ontario's embattled air ambulance service has confirmed that a helicopter with four people aboard has crashed in northern Ontario. All four are believed dead.

The Ornge air ambulance service is expressing "deep regret" in its statement that no one survived the accident near Moosonee, Ont.

The air ambulance service says the Sikorsky S76 helicopter left its base in Moosonee en route to Attawapiskat at about midnight and contact was lost with the aircraft shortly after takeoff.

[ Related: Four people confirmed dead in Ornge helicopter crash near Moosonee, Ont. ]

Ornge says two pilots and two paramedics were on board the aircraft, but no patients.

"Everybody at Ornge is deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives," Dr. Andrew McCallum, president and CEO of Ornge, said in the statement this morning.

"We will do whatever we can to support them at this difficult time. We will also co-operate fully with the authorities charged with investigating the accident."

He said further details will be made available at a media conference to be held later today.

(With files from The Canadian Press)