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[lesodell]

[lesodell]

update
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/new...icopter-042010

[lesodell]

OK so here are the facts jack.....

The pilot that struck the girl Maresa did flee the scene and provided no information. In the news report the end, the guy not wearing a shirt is the one that called 911. Today the police traced that 911 call and talked with him and he provided police with the information on who the pilot was. Michelle said the police will be talking to her tomorrow and provide her the name of the person. She plans to press charges. She also said the police plan to charge the individual as well since it is illegal to fly RC at that park.

Now regarding the donations. Michelle said the military covered the medical expenses through insurance but Michelle does not get paid when she has to take off work to haul her daughter back and for to the doctor. So she said she will accept any donations to help her out there and she really thanks all of us for our concern. She had no idea there was a large group of people out there that fly RC helicopters and that would care enough to even contact her. I told her that there were thousands that her about this and felt terrible about it and were very concerned.

So matthewspokane, if you want to continue your donation fund feel free, I will provide you Michelle's address as she does not have paypal. I will speak with her again tomorrow. matthewspokane I will PM you her phone number for now.

A fund has been established for Maresa. It is being managed by matthewspokane.

Contributions can be sent via Paypal to: maresafund@gmail.com

[ualdrivr]

It's guys like that, that will ruin it for the rest of us. Probably not even AMA members.

It is imperative for all of us not to fly out RC aircraft in public parks where pedestrians or children are playing. It is far too dangerous and we all see the results.

Usually the first pages of any manual say: "This is not a toy" and it should not be treated as such.

What happened to that girl is very unfortunate and the guys completely irresponsible, not only that, they even fled the scene of the accident. Cowards. It is very upsetting to see something like that.

[JustPlaneChris]

On the positive side, I'm proud to be part of a community like this, and happily contributed to Maresa's fund:

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=208576

[TheBum]

Please give credit where credit is due on the text in the third post: the original author was "Finless" Bob White over on HeliFreak.

I gladly contributed too. Maresa will have a long healing process, both physically and emotionally, and I hope the extra cash will help. I just thank God that she apparently didn't have extensive facial injuries.

[lesodell]

*

TAMPA - Tampa police are investigating to find out who was operating a miniature, radio-controlled helicopter that hit a young woman last Friday, seriously injuring her.

The incident happened last Friday in Gadsden Park in South Tampa. Maresa Poole, 17, was knocked to the ground by one of the aircraft, believed to be a three-foot remote controlled helicopter.

She was hit in the head, and her hand and arm were badly cut. She ended up with 17 staples in her head to stop the bleeding, and will need reconstructive surgery on one of her hands.

Police say they are making headway in tracking the men who were flying the helicopter, and many who fly similar aircrafts as a hobby say the suspects shouldn't have been flying in a public park in the first place.

A FOX 13 photojournalist captured video of men leaving the park after with their helicopters shortly after the incident. Police say one of the men called 911 after the three-foot long aircraft hit Poole.

Poole said the helicopter seemed to be flying closer and closer to her as she walked through the park.

"They put it around me, flying it. I didn't know it was that close, I thought it was around, just flying around, and the next thing I knew, I feel something hit my ear," she recalled.

Police say one of the men attempted to render aid to the injured girl before leaving, and his voice was caught on a 911 recording.

"I need an ambulance. Interbay Park immediately. I got a girl hit by an R.C. helicopter," the caller says. . "An R.C. helicopter was flying, the battery died, a girl walked underneath and got hit by the helicopter."

Police say they are also anxious to talk to the men, who officers say were violating city law banning remote control aircraft in city parks. Police also want to know if the helicopter was buzzing or chasing the girl before it hit her.

"They could be out there just flying their airplane and lost power and it falls and hits this woman, that's a freak accident," said Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy. "But if they were antagonizing her, if the helicopter was circling around her, following her in anyway, then it would seem there could be intent involved."

There are thousands of hits on remote control helicopter enthusiasts' websites, where commenters are critical of those who fly their machines in public parks.

Tampa police investigators would like to find some witnesses, especially the man in who came to help Maresa after she was hit. Anyone who was in Gadsden Park last Friday afternoon and saw the model helicopters flying is asked to contact Officer Augello at 813-354-6620.

[lesodell]

i will bet there is a 600n heli for sale cheap in tampa fla now i see that there is almost 6000 in donation now

[ualdrivr]

Donation send