Helicopter rammed by campervan
Helicopter rammed by campervan
Monday, 12 May 2008
By REBEKAH LYELL of the Hokitika Guardian
A helicopter pilot’s good deed backfired on Friday afternoon, after a vehicle he had rescued from the mud shot forward and smashed into his helicopter. Kokatahi pilot Bruce Dando was flying near the Styx River and had just landed when he noticed a campervan had become stuck in the mud. “We pushed it out and I had just hopped back into my chopper and strapped myself in when the driver of the campervan put his foot down.” The campervan shot forward and slid into the helicopter, which had its blades running at full speed at the time. “It just went bang, straight into me. He just couldn’t slow down and lost control. The helicopter is completely written off, luckily I am fully insured.” Mr Dando and the driver of the campervan received minor cuts and scratches in the accident. “The crash inspectors are coming down this week to check it out. I guess the upside of the story is that I get a new helicopter to play with.