One year later, no suits filed in VillageFest helicopter injury

A year after propeller wash from a landing Chinook helicopter lifted a boy off his feet and caused him injuries requiring hospitalization, the city of Prairie Village has yet to receive any legal action from the boy’s family.

“So far, we haven’t gotten anything,” said City Administrator Quinn Bennion. “But when an incident involves a minor, it can be years before any action is filed.”

The Chinook landing had become a favorite part of the city’s annual VillageFest Fourth of July ceremony. But strong gusts from the choppers propellers knocked three people off their feet last year. Two adults suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. The boy was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital.

“Our understanding is that he made a quick and full recovery,” Bennion said.

This YouTube video shows the 2010 VillageFest landing, but not any of the injuries taking place:

If legal action is filed, it’s likely that both the city of Prairie Village and the U.S. Army, which operates the Chinook, could face liabilities.

No helicopter landing will take place at this year’s VillageFest. Instead, a skydiving team will land in an open field south of the skate park at 9:45 a.m.