Capt. Jennifer Casey and Capital Ward councillor Shawn Menard pictured during their Carleton University school days.

Capt. Jennifer Casey, a public relations officer for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, died in a plane crash outside of Kamloops, B.C. on Sunday.

The crash occurred during a cross-country Snowbirds tour which began at the end of April to boost Canadians’ spirits amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Casey was a graduate of Carleton University’s journalism program. [Photo provided by Shawn Menard]
Casey, a former Carleton University journalism student from Halifax, was the only casualty from the crash which set a house on fire as it landed in a residential area. The pilot, Capt. Richard MacDougall, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after ejecting himself from the aircraft, according to the CF Snowbirds Twitter.

“The RCAF has suffered another tragic loss of a dedicated member of the RCAF team. We are deeply saddened and grieve alongside Jenn’s family and friends,” reads a tweet from the CF Snowbirds account. “Our thoughts are also with the loved ones of Captain MacDougall. We hope for a swift recovery from his injuries.”

In a tweet, Capital Ward city councillor Shawn Menard remembered Casey as a close friend from their Carleton University school days.

“I’m so sad to hear about Jenn Casey and the snowbirds crash tonight,” Menard wrote. “She was such a kind hearted, smart, and driven person. We spent a lot of time together years ago at Carleton University res.”

Menard attached a photo of a Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) campaign poster to the tweet where he and Casey are pictured smiling. They ran together in a RRRA executive slate advocating for more student jobs, cheaper laundry, and lower Abstentions prices.

Casey and Menard both ran for RRRA executive positions during their time at Carleton University. [Photo provided by Shawn Menard]
Menard added in a later written statement that Casey “was a really special person.”

Carleton University president Benoit-Antoine Bacon offered condolences to Menard on Twitter.

“Dear Shawn, my sincere condolences to you and all those at @Carleton_U @JSchool_CU @CarletonRes who knew and loved Jennifer,” Bacon wrote. 

Canadian government officials also offered their condolences in written statements.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honoured Casey in a tweet posted hours after the crash.

“Tonight, I join all Canadians in mourning the loss of a member of the @CFSnowbirds #OpInspiration team, Captain Jennifer Casey,” Prime Minister Trudeau wrote. 

“I’m sending my deepest condolences to her loved ones, and wishing Captain Richard MacDougall a full recovery.”

Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, a former pilot and astronaut, said she was “devastated” to hear of the crash.

“In recent weeks, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds undertook Operation INSPIRATION, to pay tribute to all those working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she wrote in a press statement. 

“During a difficult time for our country, they were a source of hope, travelling across Canada away from their families, for us. Tonight, as this tight knit group mourns the loss of one of their own, we grieve with them, as one family.”

The university has not released an official statement at this time.

Featured image provided by Shawn Menard.

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