OPP officials say on Thursday May 17, 2018 at 11:47 p.m., an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) helicopter was conducting a search for a wanted person in Oxford County near Woodstock, Ontario when it was struck by a laser while in flight.
The flight crew responded appropriately to avoid the laser strike preventing any permanent injury to the crew or impact to flight operations.
According to Transport Canada, incidents of lasers pointed at aircraft are rising in Canada.
In 2016, there were over 500 reported incidents in Canada.
Police say lasers are not toys.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft can create glare that distracts or temporarily blinds the pilots, putting passengers, as well as people on the ground, at serious risk, police say.
“Laser attacks on aircraft are a serious and growing concern,” stated OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support.
“The OPP take these actions very seriously and if the person(s) responsible are identified, they will be held accountable for their actions.”
The OPP would like to remind all members of the public that it is a criminal offence to point a laser at an aircraft.
Offenders will be charged and could face fines up to $100,000, five years in prison – or both.
If you see someone endangering an aircraft, call 911 immediately, police say.
If anyone has information with regards to this specific incident, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
