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By Liam Verster
Investigation

Pretrial conference scheduled for North Okanagan helicopter crash case

Mar 27, 2025 | 11:50 AM

A court case involving a helicopter crash in Shuswap River two years ago is moving along.

Vincent Porteous was arrested in January 2025 following a 16-month investigation into a crash in the river near Mable Lake, east of Enderby, in August 2023.

The helicopter’s occupants were injured in the crash. Porteous was allegedly piloting the aircraft without a license and reportedly fled the scene of the crash.

Porteous faces a number of offences under the Criminal Code and the Canadian Aviation Regulations, including:

  • Criminal Negligence causing bodily harm
  • Dangerous operation of a conveyance causing bodily harm
  • Failing to remain at an accident involving bodily harm
  • Operating a helicopter without the appropriate licence
  • Operating a helicopter without a valid certificate or registration on board the aircraft
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Porteous’s counsel appeared in Kelowna court on Wednesday, and the B.C. Prosecution Service said a pretrial conference was scheduled for May 15, 2025. Porteous will attend that proceeding virtually by video conference.

by Liam Verster
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