West Kelowna Landslide

Behind The Story

The Call

The day started like any other. I was sitting in a morning class when a message came in from a local news outlet. There had been a major landslide on Westside Road. They remembered the footage I had provided for a previous washout and wanted to know if I had anything. I didn't—yet. I knew this was an opportunity, and it became my mission for the day.

On The Scene

Upon arrival, the road was closed. I was met by reporters from CBC and Global News, all of us waiting for information. My goal was simple: get the shots. Eventually, the head of Central Okanagan Search and Rescue came down to speak with the press. He approached me, asking what my purpose was. I told him, "I'm here to get drone photos."

An Unexpected Invitation

That simple, direct answer led to an unexpected turn. He got in touch with the on-site RCMP drone pilot. Before I knew it, the officer was walking toward me. After discovering my genuine fascination for drones, he didn't see me as press—he saw a fellow enthusiast. He invited me up, with his escort, behind the restricted lines.

The Big Break

For the next couple of hours, we talked shop. He gave me a demo of their advanced equipment, and I was in my element. Then, he gave me the green light to fly. I launched my drone and captured the footage that no one else could get. When I finally came back out, I was met by a swarm of reporters from every major outlet, all wanting to see what I had. That day, I sold my footage to CBC and Global News.

Making Headlines

That night was unforgettable. I made more in a few hours than I ever had before, but the real reward was seeing my own drone footage on live national news. My parents, all the way across the country, stayed up late to watch. The next day, a contact I had made on another project reached out—another national news outlet wanted the footage, too. It was a pivotal moment, proving that being in the right place, at the right time, with the right skills, can change everything.