They didn’t expect this wedding crasher to be a drone – Now the guests are suing the groom
Dec 13, 2016
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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With drones becoming more and more popular at weddings, it was only a matter of time before an accident happened. Although it’s not the photographer or video guy to blame for this one. Apparently it’s the groom’s fault. The Boston Herald reports that New Hampshire man, Barry Billcliff had just married his new bride when he decided to fly his drone during the reception.
Two guests at the August wedding, Kelly Eaton and Kneena Ellis, have now filed a negligence lawsuit against both the groom and Searles Castle Event Management, Inc. where the incident took place. Eaton says that the drone broke her nose and orbital bone and left her with concussion when the drone struck her head. Ellis is also claiming a concussion as well as lacerations from blades hitting her head.
While this video doesn’t show the crash itself, it does give you some idea of the kind of environment in which the DJI Phantom drone was being flown.
It’s obvious to anybody who’s likely not consumed any alcohol that this is a very dangerous situation in which to fly. In such a strangely lit indoor location, it would be extremely difficult to see exactly how close the propeller blades are from those hanging nets.
VP of Searles, Scott C Robb II, told WBZ Boston that he warned the groom that it was illegal to fly there earlier in the day. The groom seemed to accept this and put the drone away. Later, during the reception, Robb received reports from waiters that the drone had been brought inside and was being flown. Although he rushed to get him to put it away, he was too late to prevent it crashing into the two guests.
Searles defence is that they warned the groom well in advance that it was illegal to fly the drone, and should not have to be held accountable. It seems a fair argument, and there’s only really so much they can do. It’s not like they could confiscate the drone, you know, just in case their client was an idiot.
The groom declined a TV interview, but told WBZ Boston that he was not the one flying the drone. He also says he has around 70 guests to back up his story. He hasn’t, however, said who was flying it. The couple’s DJ, however, is claiming that the groom was at the controls.
Hopefully the drone’s footage will get released at some point, although I would imagine it’s currently sitting as evidence somewhere.
What do you think? Was the groom flying? Is the venue just as responsible despite telling the groom to not fly? What more could the venue have done to prevent this? Do the guests have a right to complain? Should they have aired their concerns or left as soon as they saw the drone fly up? Let us know in the comments.
[via Boston Herald / Facebook]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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5 responses to “They didn’t expect this wedding crasher to be a drone – Now the guests are suing the groom”
I can’t see holding the venue responsible. They took customary and reasonable precautions by informing the groom well in advance of the legality. Even if the groom was NOT at the controls the fact is the drone belonged to him and as such he was responsible for keeping it secure and out of drunken hands. If he was not at the controls and did not give permission to use it he could press charges or sue the person who was for unauthorized use. So it’s a complicated legal issue.
who cares?
Apparently you do. Or why’d you comment?
I dont care but am bored.
No offence but the pilot himself is only responsible for his behavior.
Not he venue. He should have more common sense and know that he should NEVER fly a drone like that in a restricted space like that and OVER PEOPLE’S HEADS. That’s way too close. And dangerous! People like him are destroying our hobby! He’s fully responsible for it.
This is why FAA is trying to regulate the hobby. And it impacts us the hobby pilots.