Drone delayed helicopter’s landing at crash scene

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This article was published 16/09/2024 (398 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RCMP say a STARS helicopter was delayed in landing at the scene of a fatal traffic collision earlier this month because a drone was illegally being flown over the area.

“Fortunately, in this case, the delay did not have serious consequences to operations at the scene,” police said in a new release Monday.

The incident happened on the evening of Sept. 3, after a two-vehicle crash on Provincial Road 210 at Road 41 North, in the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne.

RCMP have yet to identify the person operating the drone. Police reminded the public that flying a drone in areas that might interfere with firefighters, police or paramedics can lead to a ticket of up to $1,000.

“In an emergency, it is imperative that all necessary resources are able to respond,” Cpl. Ryan Cadotte of the Manitoba RCMP drone unit said.

“I urge all drone pilots to be responsible and ensure they know and follow all regulations under the Canadian Aviation Regulations. These regulations are in place for everyone’s safety.”

RCMP previously said a vehicle travelling north on PR 210 collided with a vehicle going south at about 6:25 pm. The driver of the northbound vehicle, a 42-year-old Winnipeg man, died at the scene. The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 70-year-old Winnipeg man, was transported to hospital with minor injuries, RCMP said at the time.

The incident is the latest involving unauthorized use of drones in southern Manitoba. One hovered near the stage as Canadian alt-rock band the Arkells performed at the Burt Block Party on Aug. 23.

After the show, lead singer Max Kerman posted a video on social media saying he had “sort of developed a relationship with the drone.”

“I’d signal it to come closer, and then I’d sort of push it away, and it would act accordingly,” he said in the video. “It turns out that was an illegal drone.”

Privately owned drones must be operated away from crowds and advertised events.

The Winnipeg Police Service said they found the drone operator during the concert and told the person to stop.

“They were very co-operative, and they quite simply left the area. That was really the gist of it — nothing formal, no charges, we didn’t seize anything — we just had a conversation that they were not authorized to be operating it,” WPS spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said two days later.

The drone operator later posted the video, without audio, on Instagram.

City police warned people not to illegally fly drones over crowds after more than one was spotted downtown during the first Winnipeg Jets street party of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 21.

A private drone was flown over the roof of an 18-storey building at 221 Stradbrook Ave. as crews worked to extinguish a fire on Aug. 17, 2023.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca