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Wed, Oct 14, 2009

New Zealand Man Arrested For Attacking Helicopter

Threw A Rock, Shined A Spotlight At Low-Flying Agricultural Helo

A Blenheim, New Zealand man appeared in court in Wellington Monday after he allegedly threw a rock at a helicopter trying to protect a vineyard from frost, and then shining a spotlight into the cockpit of the aircraft.

The incident took place near Lake Grassmere in Seddon just before 0400, according to the New Zealand Press Association.

The man, who was not named in the press report, was charged with endangering transport and resisting arrest. He did not say why he had attached the chopper, but it was flying low to the ground at the time of the incident. Police  Sergeant Tony Yardley  said he was likely wakened by the noise.

Yardley said the pilot was able to avoid the rock that was thrown, but "The bigger problem was the spotlight in the eyes."

It is not the first time there have been complaints near the vineyard about aircraft noise. Yardly told the NZPA that neighbors had threatened such action in the past, but this is the first time someone has actually made good on those threats.

FMI: www.police.govt.nz

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