This young lady was just walking at a public park when she was struck and seriously injured by a model helicopter. Many in the RC helicopter community are appalled at the lack of safety purported to have been portrayed by this pilot for flying in a public place so close to a bystander. One of the pilots there made the 911 call for help and used his shirt to help hold the wounds shut until help arrived. It is also reported that flying models in a public park in Tampa is prohibited.

**Update: A donation fund has been setup for Maresa, if you would like to make a donation check out the donation thread at Helifreak here.

For the rest of us in the hobby, please remember that safe flying is of utmost importance! Injuries like this are completely avoidable as long as pilots take the right precautions in maintaining their machines and only fly in non-public places.  Always remember that this is a niche hobby and that most bystanders have no idea how fast or dangerous a helicopter can be, so we must be the stewards of safety in the hobby. Our safety record is commendable, but it only takes one accident like this to ruin years of safe flying, so be diligent.

Our hearts are with this young lady and we hope that her recovery goes well. We are also amazed at the love and support that the rc heli community as a whole is showing, truly makes you proud to be in the hobby to see such kindness being poured out.

Here is a link to the news story with full video as well: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/420-tampa-teen-injured-by-toy-helicopter-042010

Source: YouTube via this RunRyder Post

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