Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson is reminding drone operators to use caution around emergency scenes after a drone reportedly interfered with a medical helicopter response to a serious crash on Missouri Highway 18.
According to Sheriff Anderson, deputies, the Adrian Fire Department, and EMS crews from Bates and Cass counties responded to a head-on collision Sunday evening on Highway 18 involving two people who suffered serious injuries.
Emergency responders requested two medical helicopters to transport the victims to a trauma center. While the first helicopter was landing, deputies observed a drone flying over the crash scene.
Sheriff Anderson said the drone created a dangerous situation by potentially compromising the safety of the helicopter crews and first responders. He noted that drones operating in the area of emergency aircraft can delay or prevent helicopters from safely landing or taking off, costing valuable time during life-threatening situations.
In a public statement, Anderson praised the teamwork of the deputies, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders who responded to help people they had never met. He said their focus was on providing lifesaving care, and that outside interference only puts more lives at risk.
While acknowledging that individuals have the right to own and fly drones in public areas, Anderson emphasized that those rights do not extend to interfering with emergency operations.
The sheriff warned that if similar incidents continue, the Bates County Sheriff’s Office will pursue technology capable of identifying drone operators and disrupting drones that interfere with emergency scenes. He said operators who hinder emergency response efforts could be held accountable.
Sheriff Anderson also encouraged all drone owners to familiarize themselves with federal and state regulations governing drone operations and to avoid flying near active emergency scenes.
Authorities have not released additional details about the crash victims or the circumstances surrounding the collision.
