Investigation launched into police Black Hawk incident at public picnic

The police informed about the inquiry into the incident on Monday. "In accordance with procedures, the relevant authorities have been notified, including the prosecutor's office and the State Aviation Accident Investigation Commission," says the statement published on the National Police Headquarters (KGP) website.

The chief of police also ordered a separate inquiry be launched by the KGP Inspection Bureau (Biuro Kontroli KGP).

Piotr Tyszka of the District Prosecutor's Office in Ciechanów confirmed that the investigation into the incident in Sarnowa Góra has been launched. "This is a preliminary stage of the investigation and so we don't know why the pilots decided to make such a maneuver. It will be determined in the course of the inquiry," he told TVN24.

Tyszka added that first witnesses had been questioned already on Sunday, adding that there had been three pilots inside the helicopter.

The incident took place on Sunday (August 20) during a picnic organized by Sońsk Municipality to mark the 103rd anniversary of the Battle of Sarnowa Góra, near Ciechanów. The picnic was attended by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Maciej Wąsik.

A video from the picnic shows the helicopter flying very low. Initially the machine did not raise any concern, but rather attracted the spectators, inlcuding children. At one point, most likely when the power line has been brought down, the gathered people started to scream,and some of them dropped on the ground. "Run away, let's go!" - someone shouted.

Other videos show the moment when the helicopter brought down the power line.