The Department of National Defence, RCMP, EMS and Sundre Fire responded to a mountainous area west of Sundre, and east of Banff National Park, following the activation of a helicopter’s emergency transmitter and a suspected hard landing on Sunday afternoon.

According to RCMP, emergency crews responded to a location near Ice Lake in Clearwater County after the transmitter was activated shortly before 1:30 p.m.

RCMP say the helicopter was spotted by the pilot of an airplane in a location above the tree line and three people were observed standing and waving next to the downed aircraft. The occupants of the helicopter were retrieved, assessed by EMS and did not require additional medical assistance.

The private helicopter experienced a mechanical issue that forced the pilot to make an unplanned landing.