Cape Times. Some people just don't have enough to complain about
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Low-flying helicopter hits seagulls over Hout Bay harbour
A sea rescue helicopter that had just completed a training exercise and was flying over Hout Bay harbour hit five seagulls, killing three of them and injuring the others so badly they died.
The Vodacom Netcare 911 Surf Rescue helicopter was flying about five metres above the water when it struck the birds, said Stuart Schouw.
Schouw was a rescue helicopter crew member for 20 years until 2004 and is now a safety officer in the offshore oil industry with a helicopter landing officers' qualification.
"We were in a boat and when we reached them, three were dead and the wings of the other two were chopped off and they also died.
"The first time I saw the helicopter take off from the beach and hover in the harbour I was worried that it was going to hit something.
"Then it left and came back into the harbour and my fears became a reality because that's when it struck the birds.
"Helicopters aren't allowed to hover so low in areas like that. It's extremely dangerous. There were yachts and boats it could also have struck."
Craig Lambinon, spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute, confirmed the helicopter had been taking part in a routine training exercise in Hout Bay.
He said, however, that when it had completed the exercise and taken off to leave the area and continue its routine patrol, one seagull flew into it.
Lambinon would not say more.
Schouw reported the incident to the port control in Cape Town harbour.
An officer in charge at port control, who asked not to be named, confirmed a report had been received that "a helicopter had been flying too low and had hit a couple of birds".
The incident was being investigated, the officer said.