Editor’s Note: Before the pandemic lock-down took effect mid-March, the Taos Search and Rescue drone had multiple trainings assisting the Taos County Sheriff’s Office. The drone unit has continued to operate and assist in missions during the pandemic, including a successful multi-agency rescue effort near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in May.
The first training was on March 6th to help locate potential subjects thrown out of a car during an accident. The wreck occurred on NM Highway 150, a truck went over the guardrail and had rolled into a precarious location. The grade was very steep and the ground had ice and snow. Our search area was from the road down 200 feet to the vehicle and an area of about 2.5 acres. Unit members present included LJ B., Chelsea, Karlis and Gary J.
Working with the Taos County Sheriff’s Dept.
We utilized our DJI Mavic 2 Zoom and FPV goggles. LJ piloted, while Karlis wore the goggles and directed him where to go. Chelsea was a visual observer and Gary was on standby to lend support. We covered the area in two flights and the clarity of the images was stunning. We were able to see 4” shards of vehicle plastic under a tree.
Our second training was at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Visitor Center on March 10th. A woman had been missing 7 days and the drone unit offered its services to fly the river under the bridge and survey the area. LJ piloted the drone while Chelsea wore the goggles and Craig was the visual observer. We got very good coverage on the area and when we shared our results with the Sheriff, it saved the department from having to have an officer make the dangerous hike down in person.
Our third training was at the scene of another accident; this time a head on collision. Initially we were sent out to search for additional persons that may have been ejected from either vehicles. Once we arrived on scene the accident had been contained and we were requested to take aerial photos of the accident to help illustrate the report and give some more clues as to what happened. LJ piloted with Craig and Gary providing visual observer support.
All of these trainings help us become better drone pilots and searchers as well as foster interagency relations and to better serve the public.