One individual has died and one other individual is in vital situation after two helicopters collided and crashed in Hammonton, New Jersey Sunday.
Simply earlier than 11:30 a.m., the Hammonton Police Division mentioned two helicopters crash-landed close to Basin Street and White Horse Pike in Atlantic County.
In an announcement, the Federal Aviation Administration mentioned an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter have been concerned within the lethal collision close to Hammonton Municipal Airport. The helicopters collided mid-air and solely the pilots have been on board every plane, in response to the FAA.
One of many helicopters was “engulfed in flames,” in response to an announcement from Hammonton Police.
CBS Information Philadelphia
A number of businesses responded to the incident, together with the Hammonton Hearth Division and the New Jersey Forest Hearth Service.
The FAA and the Nationwide Transportation Security Board can be investigating the crash. A preliminary incident report can be posted inside the subsequent enterprise day by the FAA.
In an announcement the NTSB mentioned the company is trying into the “inflight collision.” As soon as the wreckage from the scene is documented, the aircrafts “can be moved to a safe facility for additional analysis.”
The company’s investigation will concentrate on three areas together with “the pilot, the plane and the working setting.” A preliminary report by the NTSB is predicted inside 30 days of the incident.
First responders are asking the general public to keep away from the realm as emergency crews proceed to reply to the scene.
Neighbors who raced to assist describe scene after Hammonton, New Jersey, helicopter crash
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Neighbors rush to assist
Caitlyn Collins, who mentioned one of many helicopters landed in her yard, rushed to assist the pilot who survived.
She noticed the pilot and the pink helicopter on its aspect behind her residence.
“I simply held his hand, I simply instructed him all the pieces was going to be OK and all the pieces was wonderful, and I instructed him — you realize, you can hear the sirens — I mentioned, they’re coming for you,” Collins mentioned.
Collins mentioned she tried to lighten the temper with some jokes whereas they waited for first responders to reach. Her husband helped paramedics entry the crash website, Collins mentioned, and different neighbors additionally jumped into motion till emergency crews arrived.
Chris Henshaw, who lives throughout the road, helped direct emergency responders.
“There was no hesitation. … I grabbed the radio and ran,” mentioned Henshaw, who’s a detective with the Hammonton Township Police Division.
Henshaw’s spouse, Briana, stayed again with their youngsters.
“It simply felt surreal. It appeared like one thing you’d see in a film,” Briana Henshaw mentioned.
“In that second it was like, we have now to do that collectively,” Collins mentioned. “There’s not an alternative choice.”
It is a creating story.