Thu Jul 10 11:53:31 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Indian Student Pilot Killed in Mid-Air Collision in Canada**
**Ottawa, July 10, 2025 (The Hindu)** – An Indian student pilot, identified as Sreehari Sukesh, tragically died in a mid-air collision in Manitoba, Canada, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. The Consulate General of India in Toronto confirmed the death, stating that they are providing all necessary assistance to the bereaved family, the pilot training school, and local authorities.
The accident occurred near Steinbach, approximately 50 km southeast of Winnipeg, when Sukesh’s single-engine aircraft collided with another piloted by a 20-year-old Canadian student, Savanna May Royes, who also died in the crash. According to a CBC news report quoting Harv’s Air President Adam Penner, both students were practicing takeoffs and landings near the landing strip.
“The students collided when approaching a landing strip while practising takeoffs and landings” Penner was quoted as saying.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that personnel from the RCMP, fire department and Emergency medical services attended the scene after receiving notification of the collision. Both pilots were pronounced dead at the scene.
Local resident Nathaniel Plett reported hearing a loud bang and seeing pillars of black smoke after the collision.
The Consulate General of India is in contact with the authorities and the flying school. The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
First Piper 