The president of a construction company in Nova Scotia has tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in New Brunswick over the weekend. Vincent Van Zutphen, the president of Zutphen Contractors based in Mabou, N.S., lost his life in the crash.
A close friend of the deceased, Josh Kelly, shared that a family member contacted him to inform the dirt biking community about Van Zutphen’s untimely death. Describing Van Zutphen as a vibrant individual with a zest for life and adventure, Kelly mentioned that the late president had recently embarked on helicopter pilot training, a pursuit he was deeply passionate about.
Zutphen Contractors, established in 1964, was led by Vincent and his two brothers, representing the company’s second-generation family ownership. Kelly, a former president of the Nova Scotia Off Road Riders Association, expressed gratitude for the Van Zutphen family’s longstanding support of the association, particularly in providing the venue for the Craigmore Ride Park in Cape Breton.
The news of Van Zutphen’s passing has shocked the dirt biking community, with riders and their families gathering at the park for various events and activities. Kelly extended thoughts and prayers to the grieving family and the Cape Breton community, emphasizing the profound impact of Van Zutphen’s loss.
While authorities have not officially identified the pilot involved in the helicopter crash, CBC News confirmed that it was indeed Vincent Van Zutphen. The aircraft, a commercially registered Robinson R-44 helicopter operated by Veezee Aviation with only the pilot onboard, was en route from Fredericton to Sussex before the tragic incident occurred.
Search and rescue efforts led to the discovery of the helicopter and the pilot, who was declared deceased at the scene. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has taken over the investigation, dispatching investigators to the crash site near Sussex. Veezee Aviation, where Van Zutphen served as the president and sole director, was newly listed with Nova Scotia’s Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
As investigations continue, details surrounding the crash remain limited, and authorities have ruled out any criminal implications. An obituary for Vincent Van Zutphen had not been published as of Monday afternoon.