Families gather to remember Cougar Flight 491, seven years later

Seven years after the loss of Cougar Flight 491, family members of the victims say the tragic day is still fresh and painful in their memories.

"It definitely doesn't get easier year to year," said Alicia Nash, who lost her father Burch to the crash.

"Time goes by, but it still feels as if it was yesterday."

Nash and other family members gathered at the helipadin St. John'son Saturday to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the loss of Cougar Flight 491.

Of the 18 peopleon board, 17 lost their lives.

Robert Decker was the sole survivor.

Gathering part of healing process

Lori Chynn drives in from Deer Lake every yearto remember her late husband, John Pelley. She saidthe journey is an important part of her healing process.

"This was the last place he was, so I like to come back during that time of the day," she said.

"You see the families again. It's difficult, a very difficult time of year. But we've gotten to know each other now, so we find comfort. We're almost like a family."

Nash travelled from Ontario with her young children to be here for the anniversary. She said that it's an important time for her family to come together and remember.

"I didn't get to make it the past two years, so this is my first year back. It's really important to us because this is the time that we can be together and feel that day all over," she said.

"This time I'm with my family, so it makes things a lot easier. It's very difficult to be there up in Ontario by myself dealing with it all alone."

The chopper went into the ocean about 55 kilometres southeast of St. John's. It lost power after losing oil pressure in its main gearbox.

The crash triggered a public inquiry and a lawsuit against the helicopter manufacturer.

Memorial service Saturday night

A memorial service has been plannedfor Saturday evening at the West End Baptist Church in St. John's.

"We remember everybody, all 17," said Nash.

"It's just a moment of prayer and to reflect on everything. It's helped a lot for all of us with the grieving process."

The service begins at 7 p.m.