Cameraman Dies in Mid-Air Paramotor Crash During UK Climate Flight Attempt

Dan Burton, a cameraman documenting Australian climate activist Sacha Dench's paramotor flight around Britain to highlight climate change ahead of the COP26 conference, died after a mid-air collision with Dench near Loch Na Gainmhich in Scotland in September 2021. The fatal accident inquiry at Tain Sheriff Court revealed that Burton and other expedition members had raised concerns about stress caused by a demanding "24/7" workplace culture. Evidence highlighted that the risk of collision between pilots had been identified in a risk assessment form prior to the accident. The expedition involved efforts to break a world record and produce content for COP26, with a reduced crew on the day of the crash, and one electric paramotor was out of service, leading to the use of a petrol paramotor. Ground crew lost contact with the pilots when tracking apps failed to update, and emergency services were found at the crash site after the pilots did not reach the expected landing point. Testimonies also described a tense environment with no formal resolution to stress concerns, and that the project exceeded its original timescale, leading to some volunteers being paid.