The stationing of a drone, operated by an unknown person, prevented the take-off of the firefighters' helicopter that was completing the rescue operation of a hiker. The episode occurred yesterday near the "Vandelli" refuge on the Sorapis Dolomite chain, in the territory of Cortina D'Ampezzo. This was reported by the Veneto Alpine Rescue.
The "Falco" helicopter had landed on the Vandelli landing pad, at the request of the manager who accompanied the medical and technical team near Lake Sorapis, for a 51-year-old woman from Mantua with a suspected foot injury. The woman was treated and supported until boarding, but when it was time to take off, a drone was hovering above the helicopter. Unable to locate the pilot among the crowd of visitors to the refuge, they had to wait for the small aircraft to move away.
"The mountain is not an outdoor amusement park, it must be approached with more respect and knowledge", comments the president of Veneto Luca Zaia. After having defined the fact as "extremely serious and absolutely unacceptable", Zaia thanks "our helicopter rescue and the Alpine Rescue staff for their promptness and professionalism, despite the difficulties created by this irresponsible gesture. The use of drones must always be considered and responsible, especially in areas of high tourist attendance and where rescue operations are underway. I also ask the competent authorities to evaluate, if necessary, a review of the existing regulations on the use of drones for recreational purposes, to prevent similar episodes from happening again".
(Unioneonline/D)