A surveying drone flying directly above a LifeFlight helicopter at Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah forced all air operations to halt while a child in critical care waited for emergency transport to another facility. The Lehi City Police Department shared video of the incident, filmed by the South Jordan Fire Department, showing the drone hovering over the helicopter on the hospital’s helipad.
Here is what you need to know:
- The Incident: At approximately 3:40 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, a drone was spotted flying directly above a LifeFlight helicopter at Primary Children’s Hospital, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Campus in Lehi, Utah. The helicopter was attempting to take off with a child in critical care who needed transport to a different medical facility.
- The Fallout: All air operations at the hospital were suspended until officials confirmed the airspace was clear. The delay directly affected the transport of a critically ill child.
- The Update: Lehi police later identified the drone as a surveying drone and tracked down the operator and the company involved. Police said the individual was apparently not aware the helicopter was attempting to take off. The incident is being handled.
- The Source: Lehi City Police Department via Facebook, with additional reporting from KUTV and FOX 13.
The drone operator did not know the helicopter was preparing to take off
A surveying drone flying above a hospital helipad delayed the emergency transport of a critically ill child at Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah, after all air operations were grounded until the airspace could be confirmed safe. Lehi police identified the drone operator and the company involved, and said the individual was apparently unaware the LifeFlight helicopter was preparing for takeoff.
The incident happened at approximately 3:40 p.m. when South Jordan Fire Department personnel filmed the drone hovering directly over the LifeFlight helicopter on the hospital helipad. The helicopter had arrived to pick up a child in critical care who needed transport to a different facility for further treatment…