Drone hinders trauma helicopter with injured person on board in Enschede

In Enschede, a trauma helicopter had to give way to a drone just before landing. At the time of the incident, which took place on Thursday evening, the helicopter had an injured person on board. A police spokesman speaks of a life-threatening situation.

The near-collision with the drone happened when the trauma helicopter wanted to land at the Medisch Spectrum Twente in Enschede. “The helicopter had to make a turn before landing and a drone suddenly flew right there,” a police spokeswoman told RTV Oost.

It would be a fairly large drone that flew higher than is legally allowed. In addition, the aircraft was in a no-fly zone: it is not allowed to fly drones in the vicinity of the MST. Anyone who does not comply with these rules risks a fine of up to 7800 euros and seizure of the drone. Police are currently looking for the person who piloted the drone. Following tips, according to the NOS, a man has now been briefly arrested. However, investigation revealed that that person was not around at the time of the facts.

The trauma helicopter transported one of the people injured in an accident on the N36 near Wierden, in which two cars and a truck were involved.