Remote-controlled helicopter decapitates its 'pilot' in a New York park
'Pilot' is killed by remote-controlled machine he was flying in New York park used by enthusiasts
A 19-year-old was killed when the large remote-controlled model helicopter that he was piloting in a New York park struck him and sliced off the top of his head.
Roman Pirozek, of Queens, was operating the large model at around 3.30pm on Thursday in a grassy area of Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn, when the machine hit him and the blades sheared through his skull, police said.
Police are interviewing witnesses in the park. The area attracts experienced "pilots" eager to try out new moves with powerful model helicopters that they have often built themselves or adapted.
For those familiar with serious model helicopter piloting, the death of Pirozek was a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in operating such unpredictable machines by remote. "They crash all day long," said the owner of Brooklyn Hobbies, who gave his name only as Richie.
The reasons, he said, generally fall into three categories: the remote sends bad signals, the person does not build it well, or the pilot try to perform a manoeuvre above their skill level.
"This one is just a sad thing where a kid got hit," he added. "It probably happened in a blink of an eye."