Man killed by own toy helicopter

A man was killed by his own toy helicopter in Gravesend on Thursday, September 5.

Roman Pirozek, Jr. of Woodhaven, Queens was flying his remote control helicopter in Calvert Vaux Park at 3:41 p.m. when one of the blades hit him in the head, killing him.

According to police, emergency crews responded to Bay 44^th Street and Shore Parkway and found Pirozek unconscious and unresponsive lying on the ground with severe head trauma. He was announced dead at the scene.

Pirozek was a member of the Seaview Rotary Wings, a Gravesend-based club of helicopter flying enthusiasts that regularly meet in Calvert Vaux Park. His father, Roman Pirozek, Sr., is vice president of the hobby club.

The clubs’ website lists extensive safety rules and procedures, including the Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code.

“Safety does not just fall on our designated safety officer, but to everyone,” the site reads. “If you shall see any person operating in a non-safe matter, you have the right to speak up and say ‘Take Two,’ take two minutes to stop and check out the unsafe situation.”

A spokesperson for Seaview Rotary Wings did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to Pirozek’s Facebook page, which has been taken down since the incident, he graduated from the High School for Construction Trades, Engineering and Architecture near his home in Woodhaven.

Pirozek also attended Woodhaven’s St. Thomas the Apostle School, according to the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association (WRBA).

“We heard the news from one of his teachers who said he was a wonderful person from a good family,” a representative for the WRBA said.  “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time—it’s hard to comprehend the pain they must be feeling.”

With additional reporting by Cristabelle Tumola.