The sky over Hammonton, New Jersey, witnessed a horrifying scene Sunday morning. Two helicopters, Enstrom F-28A and Enstrom 280C models, collided mid-air, sending shockwaves through the quiet community and leaving a trail of devastation.
The collision occurred around 11:25 am near Hammonton Municipal Airport. Witnesses described a terrifying sight – one helicopter spiraling downwards, a desperate dance with gravity before impact. Dark, ominous smoke billowed into the clear sky, marking the location of the wreckage.
First responders raced to the scene, battling flames that erupted from one of the downed aircraft. Firefighters worked swiftly to extinguish the blaze, while paramedics focused on the two pilots, the sole occupants of each helicopter.
Tragically, one pilot succumbed to their injuries. The other was immediately airlifted to a local hospital, fighting for their life. The condition of the surviving pilot remains critical, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
Images from the crash site reveal a grim contrast. One helicopter, painted red, lay in relatively large pieces, its structure partially intact. The other, however, was almost completely destroyed, reduced to a charred and twisted mass of metal.
The destination of either helicopter remains unknown, adding another layer of mystery to the tragedy. Investigators are now meticulously piecing together the events leading up to the collision, searching for answers in the scattered debris.
Hammonton, a town of approximately 15,000 residents in Atlantic County, is reeling from the impact. Located just 35 miles from Philadelphia, the community now finds itself at the center of a national investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and is launching a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. Every detail, from mechanical failures to potential human error, will be scrutinized in the pursuit of truth and prevention.
