A Vernon woman who was involved in a helicopter crash between West 乌鸦传媒 and Mable Lake is suing the company, and the person who was operating the aircraft.
Taylor Brooke Palmer filed a lawsuit against Vincent Matthew Porteous and Alpine Helicopters Inc., alleging that negligence is what resulted in a crash on Aug. 12, 2023.
While Porteous was identified as the person who was flying the aircraft and crashing it, he isn鈥檛 referred to as a pilot at any point in Palmer乌鸦传媒 lawsuit.
鈥淧orteous was flying erratically and negligently, hit a power line and crashed the helicopter in the Shuswap River near Mabel Lake,鈥 according to Palmer乌鸦传媒 notice of claim.
Porteous is accused of operating the helicopter without a valid license or insurance; of being impaired at the time; flying dangerously; of failing to see and avoid the power line; and fleeing the scene.
The lawsuit also blames Alpine Helicopters because it allowed Porteous to fly its helicopter without providing necessary documents.
As a result of the crash, Palmer claims to have required emergency surgery on her right arm; she had water on her lungs; soft-tissue injuries to her neck, shoulders and back, PTSD; sleep disturbance; and chronic pain.
The lawsuit seeks relief for various damages and future healthcare costs but does not specify an amount.
None of the allegations in Palmer乌鸦传媒 lawsuit have been tested in a court of law. Defendants have 21 days to respond.
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The crash happened amid the McDougall Creek fire, which was more intense than most.
A search of online court records shows that on the day in question 鈥 Aug. 23, 2023 鈥 Vincent Matthew Porteous was charged with five offences in Hupel, 乌鸦传媒 They include two counts of Criminal negligence causing bodily harm; Fail to Stop (bodily harm); knowingly make a false representation; and Prohibitions.
Shortly after the crash, the Vernon RCMP issued a media release about the incident.
鈥淭he initial investigation determined four people were on board the helicopter when it crashed into the riverbed. Three of the individuals were transported to hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. One person, believed to be the pilot, left the scene in a vehicle prior to arrival of emergency personnel and remains unaccounted for,鈥 reads the release from Aug. 14, 2023.
An update wasn鈥檛 provided until January 2025.
鈥淭he aircraft crashed into a shallow section of the Shuswap River resulting in injury to the occupants,鈥 the Vernon RCMP said on Jan. 30. 鈥淥ver the past 16 months, police have carried out a thorough investigation into the incident, leading to charges being approved by the BC Prosecution Service against the man alleged to have been piloting the aircraft.鈥
Porteous鈥 charges are still before the courts.
But that wasn鈥檛 the only time he乌鸦传媒 been in trouble with the law. Court records indicate other charges, including:
December 2004, in 乌鸦传媒, Possession of Stolen Property over $5k.
May 2006, in 乌鸦传媒, Uttering Threats.
February 2007, in 乌鸦传媒, Possession of Stolen Property over $5k; Loaded/unloaded w/ammo prohib/restricted firearm; and Careless use or storage of a firearm.
July and September 2009, in 乌鸦传媒, three counts of Driving while prohibited/ Licence suspended.
March 2016, in Revelstoke, Possession of stolen property over $5K.
March 2024, in Prophet River, Speeding and Driving Without a License.
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On the Alpine Helicopters website, the company states its commitment to safety.
鈥淥ur objective is to proactively manage identifiable risks and to eliminate or reduce all accidentally caused injury to personnel and damage to equipment or property. We accomplish this through ongoing examination of our operational hazards and systematic review of our policies and procedures to mitigate risk. This proactive risk management approach to safety allows us to identify potential hazards and modify our approach before an incident occurs.
鈥淪afety is not what we do. Safely is how we do it.鈥