Former B.C. MLA Harold Long was killed in a floatplane crash in Bute Inlet near Stuart Island on Tuesday, the B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed today.
Long, 72, first served as the Social Credit MLA for Mackenzie from 1986 to 1991 and was elected for the Liberals in 2001 when the riding was renamed Powell River-Sunshine Coast.
The coroners service says Long was the pilot and only occupant of a DHC-2 Beaver floatplane that was discovered overturned in the inlet on the west side of Stuart Island on Monday afternoon.
The Transportation Safety Board and the RCMP are also investigating.
Premier Christy Clark issued a statement this morning praising Long’s contributions to the community and the province.
“I served with Harold in the legislature from 2001 to 2005 and will never forget his wise counsel and belief in giving back to British Columbia in ways big and small,” she said.
“He embraced life with a great spirit. There were never any strangers when Harold was around. He treated everyone exactly the same — like a friend.”
Times Colonist political columnist Les Leyne reported in 2001 that, as a Social Credit MLA, Long used to fly from Powell River to the Inner Harbour, tie his Beaver up at the Undersea Gardens and walk across the street to work.
Long, a father of four, served as the deputy chairman of the committee of the whole and as a member select standing committees on health, legislative initiatives, parliamentary reform and ethical conduct.
Before entering politics, he ran a family transportation business. He lived in Powell River.
