CTV cameraman Hugh Haugland and helicopter pilot Roger Belanger of Mont Laurier died Wednesday morning in a helicopter crash.
Belanger, an experienced pilot in his 60s, was giving Haugland a tour of the damage inflicted by Tuesday's tornado when the helicopter went down next to Route 117.
Hugh was 44 years old, the father of two girls and the son of former CTV anchorman Bill Haugland.
Jed Kahane, Director of News and Public Affairs for CTV Montreal, worked closely with Hugh for nine years when Kahane was the Montreal correspondent for CTV National news.
He says Hugh was well-loved and will be sorely missed.
"Hugh was, you know, a fantastic cameraman ... with incredible passion for the news business and for the people that he covered," said Kahane.
He was so dedicated to the job that Hugh had actually been working for the past few weeks with broken ribs and a cast on his wrist following an off-road bicycling accident.
Bill Haugland lives in Vermont but visited the CTV Montreal offices on Tuesday, the day before his son's tragic death.
He says trying to cope with the sudden death is very hard.
"Everybody's tearful and it's sort of like being hit with a club," said Bill. "You can't think straight. Trying to connect the dots is very difficult."
Hugh is survived by his common-law spouse Francine Maill�, and his daughters Lianne, 14, and Evie, 19, from a previous marriage.
Soon after Hugh's death, CTVglobemedia CEO Ivan Fecan issued a statement to the network.
"On behalf of everyone at CTV News and CTVglobemedia Inc., I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Hugh Haugland, who was tragically killed today while covering a story for CTV News in the Laurentian mountains.
A dedicated CTV employee for the past 24 years and the son of former CTV Montreal anchor Bill Haugland, Hugh has been part of the CTV family for many years. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Hugh's family, loved ones, friends and colleagues at CTV Montreal.
Hugh's rich career and love of life will live on through the Hugh Haugland Memorial Scholarship Fund.
To make a donation to the fund, please call 514-848-2424 ext. 3817, or fill out the online form, and on the line that says "direct my gift to a specific scholarship/fund" please write in "Hugh Haugland Memorial Scholarship Fund."
CTV also extends our condolences to the family of Roger Belanger, the helicopter pilot who was also killed in the crash.
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