Laptop Falls From Helicopter, Narrowly Misses Boy

Most of us would love it if computers would just fall from the sky. After all, that would really do away with the whole bother of having to go out and buy one. But when a laptop falls from the sky and nearly hits you, possibly causing mortal harm, it's an entirely different story.

That happened to a 10-year-old boy in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Grayson Peterka was standing outside during a family cookout on Saturday when a laptop fell off from the skid of an airborne helicopter that was leaving the local hospital.

"I heard the helicopter going by. It was pretty low and then they made like a turn. When that happened it fell to the ground," the boy said, adding that the impact of the laptop hitting the ground made a sound almost like a gunshot.

Grayson then called out to his aunt Laura Colon. "'What's that?' It was really loud and not more than two seconds later my little nephew comes around the corner and says 'Auntie Laura, something just fell out of the sky and it almost hit me,'" she said. "We came around the side of the garage here and we found a laptop and it was most definitely something that fell. It was busted up pretty good. I looked on the back and I saw Life Link and I said 'No way, that doesn't happen.'"

Thankfully, nobody was hurt and the only reason why the hospital was called in was to retrieve the computer.

Read more from WCCO.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
  • pharge
    wow... it looks like the "Toughbook 19 Rugged Tablet PC ".... man.. that thing worth more than $4350!!!!

    (http://www.buy.com/prod/toughbook-19-rugged-tablet-pc-centrino-2-vpro-intel-core-2-duo-su9300/q/listingid/56599776/loc/101/212885807.html)

    I am glade that kid was not hurt!

    By the way,... I am wondering... since it is a rugged tablet..... can it still boot up after the drop?
    Reply
  • igot1forya
    That kid should check to see if it's still under warranty and send it in. Toughbooks cover that I think.
    Reply
  • That kid is darned luck!

    I wonder if the hospital will reward him with a new laptop because of the close call?
    Reply
  • echdskech
    wonder if a toughbook like that would've survived a drop like that if the kid cushioned its fall...

    not that it's my desired scenario mind you, just wondering... =p
    Reply
  • Maybe he'll get a Public Relations helicopter flight
    Reply
  • micky_lund
    lol...
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lhapSMQiv4&feature=related
    Reply
  • backin5
    etanonyMaybe he'll get a Public Relations helicopter flight
    And risk the kid falling off the helicopter when it turns?
    Reply
  • haunted one
    "Thankfully, nobody was hurt and the only reason why the hospital was called in was to retrieve the computer."

    The hospital was called to retrieve the laptop? O.o
    Reply
  • randomizer
    backin5And risk the kid falling off the helicopter when it turns?We wouldn't want him to hit a laptop.

    I must say that going by the picture the laptop took the impact pretty well. That thing is structurally sound.
    Reply
  • nukem950
    He was almost hit. So,
    Does almost mean inches or feet(or centimeters and meters if you prefer).
    Reply