An actor was struck by a drone during filming in a quarry in Merthyr Tydfil. He received "superficial injuries" after the drone's propeller blades hit the back of his neck during the shoot in Morlais Quarry on July 19, 2022, at around 10.30am.
A report by the UK Government's Air Accident Investigation Branch said the drone was "immediately flown out of harm’s way and filming was stopped while the actor received medical treatment". Detailing the incident the report said the drone pilot conducted a safety briefing with the film cast and crew – which included up to 50 actors and horses – before filming began.
Two shoots were completed successfully but during the third shoot where the drone – a DJI Inspire 2 – was flown to hover at low head height one of the actors "suddenly cut across its flight path" and ran into one of its propellers. The report found that while the drone operator's risk assessment "documented many of the hazards and risks" that could arise during the film shoot the possibility of an actor diverting from the agreed routes and running into the path of the drone was "unexpected and, therefore, had not been considered".
As a result of the incident the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is reviewing and amending its guidance for operating an unmanned aircraft in close proximity to a large group of people. Meanwhile the drone operator and film director have put "additional safety measures in places to prevent a recurrence", the report added.
They have agreed to do "complete walk-throughs" of each scene with actors and film crew before filming starts and more time has been given to set up before shots in close proximity with a drone so those involved can understand its location and flight path. "The operator has updated their risk assessment to include guidance and mitigation measures for future work of this nature," the report concluded.
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