Paramotorist Recalls Moment Her Wing Was 'Shredded' in Fatal Crash
A paramotorist known as the "human swan" has provided harrowing testimony to a fatal accident inquiry, describing the instant she felt her wing being "shredded" during a mid-air collision that resulted in the death of a fellow pilot. Sacha Dench was participating in the Round Britain Climate Challenge, a 3,000-mile expedition aimed at raising awareness about climate change ahead of the Cop26 conference in Glasgow.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The collision occurred on September 18, 2021, in the Scottish Highlands. Dan Burton, aged 54 from Devon, lost his life in the accident, while Ms Dench survived but sustained serious injuries. During her evidence at Tain Sheriff Court, Ms Dench recounted that she was flying in a relatively straight line when she experienced a "massive vibration" and her left hand dropped abruptly.
She stated, "I figured my wing had just been shredded and I remember yelling out Dan's name but couldn't do anything." Ms Dench added that she believed it was Mr Burton's propeller that had struck her wing, and she has no memory of the fall, only waking up on the ground afterward.
Communication and Proximity Issues
The inquiry revealed that the two pilots were not in communication via Bluetooth headsets at the time of the crash. Ms Dench explained in a police statement from May 2022 that they had not connected, noting that there was no background noise or verbal exchange from Mr Burton. It was disclosed that the headsets typically connect automatically within approximately 800 meters, producing an audible noise when linked.
Ms Dench emphasized that she was unaware of Mr Burton's proximity, saying, "I didn't know he was anywhere near me." She further discussed safe flying distances, indicating that there is "no need to be within 50m of another pilot" and that flying to the side is the safest approach.
Video Evidence from the Flight
The inquiry presented three video clips captured moments before the collision. Two were from a GoPro camera used by Ms Dench, showing her from a "selfie angle" with her lime green paramotor wing and the surrounding landscape visible. In one video timestamped 3.08pm, she commented, "it's bumpy up here," while in another at 3.15pm, she panned the camera to showcase the mountainous terrain.
Both videos briefly featured a second paramotor above her, which she confirmed was piloted by Mr Burton. A third clip from Mr Burton's GoPro displayed the top of Ms Dench's wing far below against a vast mountain backdrop. When questioned about her wing rising "sharply" in this footage, Ms Dench suggested it could be due to air movements or intentional altitude adjustments, describing it as an "ordinary change."
Background and Previous Experiences
Ms Dench, an Australian climate activist, earned the nickname "human swan" from her prior adventures following swan migrations across Europe. She admitted to being "paranoid" about flying too close to other pilots after a previous collision with a paraglider that left her with a broken arm. Despite this, she expressed trust in Mr Burton, noting that he would only fly directly above or behind her for specific filming protocols when they were in clear communication.
The fatal accident inquiry, which began with hearings in May last year and January this year, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The Round Britain Climate Challenge, launched in June 2021, was intended to highlight environmental issues, adding a poignant layer to the incident.
