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Drone Over Scene Of Montco Car Crash Raises Questions

UPPER PROVIDENCE, Pa. (CBS) - As a medical chopper responded to a serious car crash on Route 422 in Montgomery County Thursday, a drone was spotted over the crash scene.

The device did not interfere with the chopper's landing, but police say it's a reminder for drone-operators.

Upper Providence Township Police radioed in to alert the pilot about the drone, but it was gone when the chopper arrived.

A spokesman for the FAA says encounters with drones are rare, and there are a few instances where pilots had to take action to avoid one.

But lieutenant Mark Freeman says it is a reminder to anyone with a drone to be aware of what's around them, and what could happen if the drone malfunctioned:

"You know there's property, people's homes, you know there are privacy issues that as far as I can tell have not been addressed."

The FAA does require every drone to be registered, so serial numbers can be tracked, but police say there don't seem to be any significant laws or regulations with any teeth.

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