Flags at Seneca Polytechnic campuses, including in Peterborough, were lowered to half-mast Tuesday in honour of alumnus Mackenzie Gunther, identified as the co-pilot involved in a fatal runway collision at LaGuardia Airport.
The incident occurred Sunday night when an Air Canada Express flight arriving from Montreal collided with a fire truck on the runway.
In a statement posted online, Seneca officials said Gunther graduated from its Honours Bachelor of Aviation Technology program in 2023 before beginning his career with Jazz Aviation. He was serving as first officer on the flight at the time of the crash. According to the latest information, counsellors are also available at the Peterborough campus to help with student and faculty support.
The captain of the aircraft has been identified as 30-year-old Antoine Forest of Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec.
Flags were also lowered at half-mast outside Air Canada’s headquarters in Montreal on Monday as the airline and broader aviation community marked the loss.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
(Written by: Jordan Mercier)