Light shone at low flying RAF aircraft

Cast your minds back, if you can, to THURSDAY DECEMBER 11TH 2025. Can you remember seeing or hearing a low flying Chinook helicopter hovering over AXMINSTER and the surrounding area that evening?

The pilot of the Chinook has been in touch with police to clarify why they were in the area and why they had to fly so low for a sustained amount of time. The pilot has confirmed that due to the weather conditions at the time - low cloud - they ended up stuck in the area while they contacted various Air Traffic agencies to find an alternative, and safe route, to their intended location.

Unfortunately, while orbiting in the area, the pilot has reported that a laser or very powerful torch was shone directly at him and the aircraft. This is clearly very dangerous for low flying aircraft and can result in the pilot and crew losing visual for up to five seconds.

It is also an offence under the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018:

A person commits an offence if - 

(a) the person shines or directs a laser beam towards a vehicle which is moving or ready to move, and

(b) the laser beam dazzles or distracts, or is likely to dazzle or distract, a person with control of the vehicle.

On this occasion no harm was caused to the pilot or crew. However, please be mindful that the above offence does carry a possible prison sentence and fine.