The BC Coroner's Service is confirming 3 people died Tuesday night's plane crash on Gabriola Island.
Spokesman Andy Watson tells CFAX 1070 there were 2 men and 1 woman on board:
" And today we can confirm the deceased are 3 individuals. A male in his 60's from Mill Bay, and 2 other decedents -- one male and one female. And we continue the work to confirm the identification of the other 2 decedents, which will involve work with post mortem testing and other investigative work."
Watson adds that due to privacy the BC Coroners Service will not be releasing or confirming names -- but will provide updates once additional details are available.
A close friend of the Mill Bat pilot has identified him as Alex Bahlsen, 61.
The flight was enroute from Bishop, California headed to Nanaimo airport when it went down.
Transport Canada's Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System indicates the pilot reported an equipment issue, and deviated from the approach to Nanaimo, before dropping off radar.
The information is being called preliminary and unsubstantiated. The Transportation Safety Board says there is still more work to do before the cause can be determined.