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The family of a Kenyan student killed in a fiery helicopter crash plans to sue the helicopter company and the hydro company that had contracted the chopper to check its power lines.

Isaiah Otieno, 20, died when a Bell 206 helicopter crashed into him as he was crossing a street in a residential neighbourhood of Cranbrook on May 13. The crash also killed the helicopter's pilot, Edward Heeb, 57, and B.C. Hydro workers Dirk Rozenboom, 45, and Robert Lehmann, 37.

Dalmas Otieno, Isaiah's father and Kenya's Public Service Minister, said he plans to launch a suit against Bighorn Helicopters, the owner of the aircraft, and B.C. Hydro, which commissioned the copter so its employees could check power lines.

Depending on the results of an ongoing Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation, Mr. Otieno said, he may also sue Bell Helicopter, which manufactured the aircraft.

"The job was given by B.C. Hydro, so the cause of that low-flying aircraft was because they're inspecting the power lines. Bighorn was supposed to maintain the aircraft and maintain the ... aviation regulations for flying helicopters," he said. "If there's anything [wrong]to do with the helicopter, then Bell would come in as the manufacturers."

Mr. Otieno said he will demand compensation for funeral costs and loss of life. The final amount has yet to be calculated.

"We have claims experts on tax matters who will be handling that for us," he said. "The experts will advise whether we should get treatment within the Canadian courts or whether the claims made need to be filed elsewhere. ... We are foreigners and we would go to international court if we cannot get justice under the jurisdiction in which the accident took place."

The flight should have been a routine check of transmission lines between Cranbrook and Moyie, about 30 kilometres southwest, B.C. Hydro spokesman Ted Olynyk told The Globe shortly after the crash.

Several witnesses reported the helicopter circling the area at an unusually low altitude before plunging to the pavement.

Hydro spokeswoman Susan Danard said the company is aware of the intended suit.

"We know that that's their intention; they have made that public.

"But we can't say at this point, since the cause of the accident is under investigation, whether the family will proceed with a claim and whom the claim will be against," she said.

Hydro's helicopter operations are suspended as the company conducts its own review, Ms. Danard said.

Janice Wilson, who co-owns Bighorn with her husband, Clay Wilson, said their company has not been notified of any legal action.

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