One person has died and another has been injured after two helicopters collided mid-air in the US.
The collision unfolded in southern New Jersey on Sunday, leaving a pilot dead, with another in a “critical” state.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel confirmed the former death, adding that a second individual was rushed to hospital, suffering life-threatening injuries.
Rescuers were dispatched following reports of an aviation crash at around 11.25am local time.
Emergency services from several agencies then descended on the scene after the two helicopters came down.
Police and fire crews arrived to discover one helicopter ablaze, immediately working to extinguish the flames.
Witnesses observed thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage following the impact, with social media footage showing the same.
Footage circulating widely on social media captured the moment one aircraft came down at around 11.40am.
In social media footage, one of the helicopters can be seen spiralling from the sky before it disappears behind a building
In it, one of the helicopters can be seen spiralling from the sky before it disappears behind a building.
Further images from New Jersey show a string of emergency vehicles next to the two downed craft, one red and one white.
It remains unclear which one contained the injured pilot, and which one’s pilot died.
Sal Silipino, the owner of a cafe near the crash site, said the pilots were regulars and would often have breakfast together.
TRAGEDY IN THE AIR – READ MORE:
PICTURED: A view from the scene where police are securing wreckage following an inflight collision involving an Enstrom 280C helicopter and an Enstrom F-28A helicopter in Hammonton, New JerseY
|
GETTY
He added that he and other customers watched the choppers take off before one began spiralling to the ground, followed by the other.
The Federal Aviation Administration went on to confirm an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter struck each other while airborne.
The Hammonton Fire Department had earlier said it was responding to an “aviation-related incident” at the location.
Officials appealed for members of the public to keep clear of the area to allow emergency personnel to work safely.
Emergency vehicles can be seen parked between the remains of a white and red helicopter
|
GETTY
Both aircraft were carrying only their pilots at the time of the collision, according to the FAA.The FAA stated that the National Transportation Safety Board would assume responsibility for investigating the incident.Further updates will be provided by the NTSB as the inquiry progresses, officials said.
