Danger in the Skies: Capturing the Grit of UK Scrapyards in Stock Video Footage – and Surviving a Gun Shot
Scrapyards are chaotic places. Towering piles of twisted metal, the constant grind of heavy machinery, and the relentless movement of trucks and cranes create a raw, industrial atmosphere. Capturing this world from the sky offers a striking perspective—one that reveals both the order and the chaos of the recycling industry. But sometimes, filming in these environments comes with unexpected risks.
A routine shoot turned dangerous
The footage in Clip Pack #83 – Metal Scrapyards with Man Shooting at Drone was meant to document the raw energy of a UK scrapyard—massive piles of scrap metal, towering cranes lifting crushed cars, and diggers sorting through the debris. But amidst the usual industrial activity, something shocking happened.
As the drone hovered above, carefully capturing the vast landscape below, a scrapyard worker took aim and fired a rifle at the drone. It was a reckless, illegal act—one that could have destroyed the equipment, endangered people on the ground, or even caused a major incident. The moment was caught on camera, and the footage was later reported to the police. But in the end, no further action was taken.
A bullet hole that tells a story
The drone survived—but only just. To this day, it still bears the scar of that day: a bullet hole in the bottom casing, right through the battery compartment. Incredibly, the shot didn’t bring it down. The drone kept flying, capturing some of the most dramatic aerial footage ever recorded in an industrial setting.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that flying over scrapyards in England can be unpredictable, even dangerous. While most businesses understand the value of aerial footage for documentation and storytelling, others see drones as an unwelcome intrusion—sometimes responding with extreme and reckless behavior.
Exclusive footage of a shocking moment
This stock video pack isn’t just about metal recycling and industrial activity—it’s a real-world glimpse into the unexpected dangers of aerial filming. The collection features 37 clips of high-quality 4K drone footage, capturing the movement of metal, the power of industrial machines, and the eerie, dystopian beauty of scrapyards. But it also includes exclusive editorial footage of the shocking shooting incident, an act of aggression frozen in time.
For filmmakers, documentarians, and news outlets, this collection offers a unique and gritty perspective on urban industry—and a reminder that even the most routine shoots can take an unexpected turn.
Proceed with caution
The world of aerial cinematography is full of surprises, but dodging bullets shouldn’t be one of them. If you're flying over scrapyards in England, be aware, be cautious, and always have an escape plan. Not every scrapyard welcomes an eye in the sky.
Looking for more industrial and high-stakes footage? Explore my collection of cinematic drone stock videos, capturing the raw and unexpected beauty of the world from above.
📸 37 Clips | 15 Minutes 25 Seconds | 6.49GB | 4K Footage
A vast collection of drone footage capturing the gritty, industrial world of UK metal scrapyards. This pack showcases mountains of scrap metal, aluminium, recycling operations, heavy machinery, diggers, trucks, and powerful magnetic cranes in action.
But what makes this collection truly unique is the shocking footage of a scrapyard worker illegally using a rifle to shoot at the drone. An extreme and reckless act, caught on camera, highlighting the dangers faced when capturing aerial footage in unpredictable environments.
Perfect for documentaries, investigative content, industrial stock footage needs, or those looking for raw, real-world action in an industrial setting.
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