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Plane crash heroes to receive medals, honoured

The heroes who helped rescue last week's plane crash survivors are being lined up for a string of honours.

The heroes who helped rescue last week's plane crash survivors are being lined up for a string of honours.

Premier Christy Clark announced that she and Solicitor-General Shirley Bond will hold a reception at the legislature in Victoria for those involved in the rescue of passengers and pilots of Thunderbird Air Flight 204.

Lions International, a global club, has also chipped in, saying it wants to award its prestigious Medal of Merit to all those who pulled passengers from the flaming wreckage after the plane crashed on Russ Baker Way around 4: 20 p.m. last Thursday.

Paul Wong, a Lions member, said the international club will make the award at its 2012 convention.

The provincial government is currently working with Richmond Fire Rescue to identify everyone who assisted in the rescue, the premier said in a statement.

Clark said she was touched by the stories of heroism and bravery that had emerged, and she wants to honour those involved.

"Like most British Columbians, I read and heard the incredible stories of selfless heroism that emerged through the weekend," Clark said.

"When you consider the harrowing circumstances and the grave danger these people put themselves in to save others, it's clear they deserve our deepest thanks.

"Without their quickthinking responses, there is no doubt the tragedy of this incident would have been compounded.

"I believe many people share our belief that we should honour the civilian heroes, the plane's crew and the first responders, and we will do just that."

Bond said the reception is to honour people who "emerged from this emergency a community of heroes, and we want to recognize every one of them."

The accident happened after a small aircraft - chartered by a business leadership development company, Tec Canada - crashed on an approach to YVR.

The aircraft, with two pilots and seven passengers, had been en route to Kelowna for an executive business retreat when it reported engine trouble 15 minutes into the flight and did an about-turn.

But just 900 metres short of the south runway, it suddenly faltered, violently banked left, clipped a lamp standard and bellyflopped onto a usually busy road before bursting into flames.

Pilot Luc Fortin died, and copilot Matt Robic suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body. All seven passengers, who were mostly executives of Vancouver companies, were injured. Several of them are still in hospital.

acampbell@richmond-news.com