Belgian drone pilot struck by train after crashing drone on tracks

Skyrover X1 Fly More Combo Now $682.48 (25%) Off On Amazon With DRONEXL2025 Discount Code

A Belgian drone pilot was killed in Belgium last Sunday evening after being hit by a train while retrieving a crashed drone. This is reported by the Public Prosecution Service of Walloon Brabant.

The drone pilot, a woman in her early 40s had gone on the trail to secure a drone that had recently crashed. The incident occurred in the Walloon Brabant town of Tubize, where a party was taking place.

“Nothing seen or heard.”

The incident occurred during a Belgian-Italian party in the center of Tubize, a village southwest of Brussels, Belgium.

A female drone pilot recorded the party with her drone. At one point, the drone crashed into the track near the party location. The woman attempted to get the drone off the track but was hit by a train. The woman died in hospital from her injuries.

According to a spokeswoman for the Walloon Brabant Prosecution Service, the woman probably did not see or hear the train, which was traveling at a speed of 110 km/h.

“The train driver had seen the woman and activated the sound signal, but the victim did not respond.”

Past drone accidents

This is not the first time a drone pilot has been killed while recovering a crashed drone.

In April of this year, an American drone pilot suffered a fatal fall while trying to get his drone off a mountainside. In April 2020, a drone pilot was electrocuted in Germany when he tried to detach his drone from a high-voltage cable with an aluminum rod.

And in early 2016, a man drowned trying to grab a thin ice drone on a pond.

Source: HLN, cover photo: Google Streetview.

This article first appeared on Dronewatch and is written by Wiebe de Jager who is also a DroneXL contributor.


Discover more from DroneXL.co

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Check out our Classic Line of T-Shirts, Polos, Hoodies and more in our new store today!

Ad DroneXL e-Store

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Proposed legislation threatens your ability to use drones for fun, work, and safety. The Drone Advocacy Alliance is fighting to ensure your voice is heard in these critical policy discussions.Join us and tell your elected officials to protect your right to fly.

Drone Advocacy Alliance
TAKE ACTION NOW

Get your Part 107 Certificate

Pass the Part 107 test and take to the skies with the Pilot Institute. We have helped thousands of people become airplane and commercial drone pilots. Our courses are designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and achieve your dreams.

pilot institute dronexl

Copyright © DroneXL.co 2025. All rights reserved. The content, images, and intellectual property on this website are protected by copyright law. Reproduction or distribution of any material without prior written permission from DroneXL.co is strictly prohibited. For permissions and inquiries, please contact us first. DroneXL.co is a proud partner of the Drone Advocacy Alliance. Be sure to check out DroneXL's sister site, EVXL.co, for all the latest news on electric vehicles.

FTC: DroneXL.co is an Amazon Associate and uses affiliate links that can generate income from qualifying purchases. We do not sell, share, rent out, or spam your email.

Follow us on Google News!
Wiebe de Jager
Wiebe de Jager

Wiebe de Jager is the founder of Dronewatch and author of several bestselling books about drone photography. Wiebe is a certified drone pilot and has a full ROC license.

Articles: 312

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.