Stock photo courtesy of the B.C. Provincial Court library

By Liam Verster

Helicopter Crash Court Case

No bench warrant issued for accused in North Okanagan helicopter crash

Mar 18, 2025 | 4:00 PM

A warrant was not issued for the man accused in the helicopter crash east of Enderby nearly two years ago.

The B.C. Prosecution Service said Vincent Porteous did not appear in Kelowna court as scheduled on March 4, and there was a potential for a warrant for his arrest being issued.

However, Porteous’s counsel appeared in court Tuesday, March 18, an submitted the Counsel Designation Notice. That paperwork is required for counsel to represent their client without them personally being in court.

The Prosecution Service stated the matter was then adjourned Tuesday, pending a court appearance where a pretrial conference would be scheduled on March 26.

Porteous was arrested after a 16 month investigation and faces numerous charges under the criminal code and aeronautics act stemming from the incident that saw the helicopter crash into the Shuswap River near Mable Lake on August 12, 2023.

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• Criminal negligence causing bodily harm
• Operating a conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public and causing bodily harm
• Failing to offer assistance to an injured person
• Operating a helicopter without a license or permit
• Operating a helicopter without a valid certificate or registration

Porteous remained released on conditions Tuesday.