Six people are presumed dead following the suspension of a search for survivors of a medical transport plane crash off the coast of Massachusetts. The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Sunday that it would halt efforts to find the missing aircraft, which disappeared early Saturday morning.

The Gulfstream G100 plane, operated by Canadian company Latitude Air Ambulance, was en route from Bermuda to Boston when it lost contact with ground control around 2 a.m. on Saturday. The Coast Guard later located a debris field near Nantucket Island, prompting an extensive search and rescue mission.

The aircraft was carrying six individuals: a patient, a family member, and a crew of four. The patient and accompanying family member were both citizens of Bermuda, while the crew members were Canadian nationals. The flight had departed Bermuda at 12:41 a.m. on Saturday under the call sign Heartbeat 104.

Rear Admiral Matthew Lake, commander of the Coast Guard’s Northeast District, expressed regret over the decision to suspend the search. In a statement, he described the choice as difficult and extended condolences to the families of those aboard. The Coast Guard also thanked partner agencies for their assistance during the search efforts.

Latitude Air Ambulance issued a statement following the Coast Guard’s announcement, acknowledging the end of the search and rescue phase and facing the “heartbreaking reality” regarding the fate of the patients and crew. The company did not provide further details but confirmed the identities of those involved.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not indicated any evidence of foul play or mechanical failure at this stage. The incident highlights the risks associated with medical evacuation flights, which often operate under challenging conditions to transport critically ill patients.

Search operations involved multiple Coast Guard assets as well as support from other federal and local agencies. The roughly 12-hour effort included surface vessels and aircraft deployed to scan a wide area near Nantucket, a well-traveled maritime corridor.

With the search now called off, efforts will shift to recovery and investigation. The Coast Guard and other involved agencies will continue to coordinate with Canadian and Bermudian authorities as they seek to determine the circumstances leading to the crash.

This tragic event marks another loss in aviation accidents related to specialized medical transport services, underscoring the challenges inherent to such missions. The incident has prompted expressions of sympathy across the medical transport community and among officials in both Canada and Bermuda.