Laser pointer aimed at rescue helicopter forces crew to abandon coastal search (Photo) :: Hawkinge Gazette :: Folkestone Dover Hawkinge and the Channel Coast news and information

Emergency services [1]: Laser pointer aimed at rescue helicopter forces crew to abandon coastal search (Photo) [2]

Posted by editor on Jun 09, 2011 - 06:40 AM

[3]

A Sea King air-sea rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham was forced to abandon a search off the coast between Folkestone and Dover after a laser pointer was pointed towards the aircraft.

It had been called out at 9.20pm on Monday (6 June) following reports that a person was in difficulty in the Channel at Copt Point, between Folkestone and Dover.

A Lifeboat and Coastguards were searching the area along with police officers while the helicopter was using its infra red camera system to spot anyone in difficulties.

A Lifeboat fires flares during the search Photo Max Hess

However after a laser pointer was directed at the helicopter, it was forced to give up the mission.

The rest of the emergency crews continued the search but no-one was found.

Police are trying to locate the person using the laser pointer.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©

Comments

Poor taste

by j.c

on Jun 09, 2011

Which bright spark decided to put an advert for laser pointers right next to the story about an raf rescue chopper having to abandon there search and rescue mission, because of some idiot with a laser pointer

Thanks for pointing it out

by editor

on Jun 09, 2011

[ _USERINFO [4] ] [ _SENDAMSG [5] ]

Unfortunately the advertisement is in a section of the page allocated to Google Ads which populate the space. Google automatically try to target ads to the story/content on the page. This usually works very well but on some occasions does fail, as it did in this instance.

I appreciate you letting me know and I have taken steps to block the offending advertisement.

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