Two victims have been named by British media in the fatal boat accident that occurred off the coast of Tofino.
British newspaper the Swindon Advertiser says family have confirmed to them Stephen Thomas, 50, and his son David, 18, were among the five British nationals who died after a whale watching tour boat capsized.
The BC Coroner’s Service has yet to confirm any names.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the capsizing. They are currently in the first part of the investigation, which is the field phase where the team examines the wreckage, the site where the accident took place, and interviews witnesses.
The TSB will also review meteorological conditions, collect data, and review the operation of the equipment in the coming days, although they say the investigation will likely take a considerable amount of time.
The BC Coroner’s Service has confirmed that the five victims who died in the accident were all British Nationals.
There were a total of 24 passengers on board the Leviathan II and three crew members. Twenty-one people survived the ordeal, and one person is still missing.
According to the Daily Mail, the missing person is a 27-year-old Australian man from Sydney.
The Leviathan II was owned and operated by Jamie’s Whaling Station. In a press conference, owner Jamie Bray said the whole team is “traumatized” by what happened and “the whole community has experienced the same emotions.”
The mayor of Tofino spoke out to offer her condolences to the families of the victims.
#Tofino‘s thoughts & prayers are with passengers, crew, emergency responders & their families. Thank you all for your messages of support.
— Josie Osborne (@Josie_Osborne) October 26, 2015
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