Newquay search and rescue helicopter narrowly avoids smashing into remote-controlled ‘toy’

COPS are investigating after a coastguard helicopter narrowly missed crashing into a drone yesterday.

The search and rescue chopper came “very close” to hitting the radio-controlled toy being flown by a member of the public from a beach near Newquay in Cornwall.

The helicopter, which was on a training exercise in the skies, was able to land safely following the potentially fatal near miss.

Devon and Cornwall Police was last night investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “We can confirm that a drone came into close proximity to the Newquay HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter while on a training exercise.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind people that there are strict airspace regulations and restrictions for unmanned aircraft and drones, which should be adhered to at all times. For further information please visit.”

Incidences of near misses with drones are on the rise and authorities are being forced to clamp down heavily on their use.

Numerous cases have been recorded where the flying gadgets have come dangerously close to passenger planes, with Gatwick Airport even closing an entire runaway after a drone was spotted in the airspace around the strip.

Drone pilots now facing potential jail time if they are caught flying their gadgets near runways.