Vernon Matters File Photo

By Liam Verster/Vernon Matters

Helicopter Crash

Trial date set for North Okanagan helicopter crash case

Jun 15, 2025 | 7:00 AM

VERNON, B.C. — A criminal case involving a helicopter crash in the North Okanagan will go to trial early next year.

The trial for Vincent Porteous, the pilot in the crash, will begin on February 17, 2026. The B.C. Prosecution Service said Porteous will be due in Kelowna court for a pretrial conference a month prior, on January 9.

In August 2023, a helicopter crashed in the Shuswap River near Mable Lake, east of Enderby. The three passengers on the flight sustained injuries in the crash, while a therapy dog – a chihuahua named Chalupa – died.

Porteous allegedly fled the scene before authorities and first responders arrived.

In January 2025, Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP arrested Porteous after a 16-month-long investigation. He was given a handful of charges, including:

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• Criminal negligence causing bodily harm
• Operating a conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public and causing bodily harm
• Failing to assist or offer assistance to an injured person
• Operating a helicopter without a license or permit
• Operating a helicopter without a valid certificate of registration

The Prosecution Service did not state how many years Porteous could face in prison if found guilty of all charges.