A coroner’s inquest has been ordered for the four men who died in a Hydro One helicopter crash in Tweed in December 2017.

Hydro One employees James Baragar, 39, of the Orillia area, Jeff Howes, 26, of Bath, Darcy Jansen, 26, of Long Sault and Kyle Shorrock, 27 of Inverary died from their injuries when the helicopter they were in crashed at 1221 Upper Flinton Road while en route to a staging area on Dec. 14, 2017.

Hydro One stated Baragar was a company pilot while the other men worked as linemen.

An investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada determined that an improperly secured tool bag hit the rear rotor of the helicopter before it crashed, and that two of the three passengers’ seatbelts were undone.

Dr. Paul Dungey, regional supervising coroner for east region in Kingston, announced the inquest into the men’s deaths on Thursday.

An inquest is mandatory under the Coroner’s Act.

Dungey also explained the inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding their deaths and a jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.

Dr. David Eden will preside as inquest coroner with Jai Dhar as counsel.  Details regarding a date and location for the inquest have yet to be determined.