24 February 2013
Canadian journalist, conservationist killed in Kenya plane crash
Air accident
A Canadian journalist and a conservationist were killed when the plane they were travelling in crashed near Mount Kenya on Sunday [24 February].
John Driftmier, 30, was shooting aerial footage for a documentary series called 'Dangerous Flights' said Montreal-based film producer Pixcom. The show tracks pilots who fly small private planes to various locations around the world. Dr Anthony King, the director of the Laikipia Wildlift Forum Trust Fund, was piloting the plane.
The two-seater aircraft, which was owned by Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF), crashed due to poor weather conditions according to Yellow Club East Africa chairman Rob Linck who witnessed it.
"There were strong winds and the aircraft was small and therefore it could not manoeuvre its way through the turbulence," said Linck. Jacquelin Bouchard, CEO of Pixcom, said in a statement: "[Driftmier] was an incredibly talented director and cameraman, and a wonderful friend. ... Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this very sad time."
