Man paralyzed by a RC heli awarded over 1M damages, perpetrator absconds!

[zadaw]

This is a follow up on a horrific accident involving a 0.60 nitro heli in 2008. The victim was hit on the back of his head and lost 1/4 of his brain. He survived but was paralyzed on his L side. The owner of the heli that hit him was only fined HK$5000 (US$642). A civil suit then followed and the victim was awarded HK $8.8M (U$1.13 M). However, the owner had already sold his property and fled Hong Kong. It is unlikely that the victim will collect any compensation. Nobody has any insurance in Hong Kong because for a start, trespassing is involved at most flying sites.

Here is the original story. (Please note that reported the sequence of events stated is not true. The victim was hit with his back towards his heli as he was walking towards his car. The owner lied to the police but other witnesses were able to give the correct version following an appeal on a local Hong Kong RC forum)

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=59975&sid=17097164&con_type=3

The story of the civil award

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=119819&sid=35449292&con_type=1&d_str=20120217

Here is a video of the victim (in cantonese, starts at after 13 min into the video)

http://mytv.tvb.com/variety/scoop/128497#page-1

[Wesley888]

The video link doesn't work. It redirect me to the home page. I'm try to navigate into the video but there are too many links. Is it under news or?

[zadaw]

The video link doesn't work. It redirect me to the home page. I'm try to navigate into the video but there are too many links. Is it under news or?

It is possible that users from outside Hong Kong are being blocked on purpose. Here is a video of the original accident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdeyQaQNckA

[Volcano]

I dont want to click on it if its gross. Is this video safe to view?

[zadaw]

I dont want to click on it if its gross. Is this video safe to view?

There is a puddle of blood and you can see the victim in bandages.

I have actually met the victim before. At least, he can talk normally now although he is still paralyzed on his L side.

[heliphlier]

Someone gets paralyzed by a large heli but in the story by The Standard they refer to these several times as TOY aircraft. I think anyone who flies helis knows they are not exactly toys and should not be taken lightly.
How is it possible that for 50,000 - 80,000 hobbyist there is only one official flying sites in Hong Kong? That would be one cramped field on the weekends.

[zadaw]

Someone gets paralyzed by a large heli but in the story by The Standard they refer to these several times as TOY aircraft. I think anyone who flies helis knows they are not exactly toys and should not be taken lightly.
How is it possible that for 50,000 - 80,000 hobbyist there is only one official flying sites in Hong Kong? That would be one cramped field on the weekends.

You are talking about the most expensive real estate in the world. The official flying site is nicknamed the "Wealth Club" for obvious reasons. It takes $1300 to join and there is monthly fee. It has taken the airs for an upper class golf club and many find the atmosphere hard to take. Moreover, it is primarily for planes and they don't people flying helicopters there.

[mrfourtysevenman]

it pisses me off that when something like this happens the news calls it a "toy"
toys are things made by TOY companies for kids. these are expensive high end models that require the skill of an adult to fly and build!

[rleary360]

Its funny how everyone gets so upset when they are called toys.....they are toys......big boy toys. It dont matter how much they cost or how dangerous they are. They are still TOYS

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[burnoutboy]

Its funny how everyone gets so upset when they are called toys.....they are toys......big boy toys. It dont matter how much they cost or how dangerous they are. They are still TOYS

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SO TRUE! I have several toys, most of them will run the quarter mile in under 12 seconds :rotf

[mrfourtysevenman]

TOYS are something with 3 channels. you wouldnt give a six year old a goblin would you?

[rleary360]

TOYS are something with 3 channels. you wouldnt give a six year old a goblin would you?

Ya missed the part where i said big boy toys.....and to answer your question yes i would give a goblin to a 6 year old.....as long as it was justin lee"chee". Guess ya never seen him fly a 700?

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[yf222000]

The fact of the matter is it is a toy in many people's eyes, as most of these copters wasn't geared towards any industrial uses, or intended purposes as the name implies "Hobby". However, this is where some people gets themselves in trouble including some of my coworkers that just started up in this hobby. Mentally, they thinks it something that can be bought, built, and operate without any sort of real training like other rotary machinery that are classified by other names geared towards industrial uses. For example. They used the word Drones, and not RC heli when it comes to either larger, or the same size helis being used by either military, or law enforcements. Now, while it is the same operational principle, most people would have a different feeling, and views about these machinery in comparison with our "Hobby class, RC Heli" They all hurts the same way. Destroy flesh the same way, and can easily kills the same way if mishandled, or mistreated. Bottom line, it is a very dangerous toy, or drone.

[YoungBull]

You have to wonder about Align there is a link at the bottom of the first post first link to buy an Align 100. O deary me........ Guy losses brain - go buy a helicopter, well done Align.:thumbdown:

[desertstalker]

You have to wonder about Align there is a link at the bottom of the first post first link to buy an Align 100. O deary me........ Guy losses brain - go buy a helicopter, well done Align.:thumbdown:

Not deliberate on Aligns part, its the wonderful world of keyword related internet advertising... can be really dumb.

[newhelliguy]

In Hong Kong if everyone tried to go outside at the same time they would be stacked on top of each other. Not a lot of golf courses either.