One particular person has died and one other particular person is in important situation after two helicopters collided and crashed in Hammonton, New Jersey Sunday.
Simply earlier than 11:30 a.m., the Hammonton Police Department mentioned two helicopters crash-landed close to Basin Highway and White Horse Pike in Atlantic County.
In a press release, 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 a press release from Hammonton Police.
CBS Information Philadelphia
A number of companies 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 a press release 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 give attention to three areas together with “the pilot, the plane and the working setting.” A preliminary report by the NTSB is anticipated 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 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 facet behind her dwelling.
“I simply held his hand, I simply advised him every little thing was going to be OK and every little thing was positive, and I advised him — you understand, 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 another choice.”
It is a creating story.
