HAMMONTON, N.J. — One person was killed and another critically injured after two helicopters collided mid-air Sunday morning shortly after taking off from Hammonton Municipal Airport, authorities said.
The crash was reported around 11:25 a.m. near Route 30 and Basin Road, approximately one mile from the airport. Both aircraft came down in a nearby field — one of them erupting into flames on impact, according to police.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said early indications suggest the helicopters had departed together and were traveling close to each other when the collision occurred.
“Reports were that they were flying in tandem, that they were flying close together, which is probably what caused the collision to occur,” Friel said.
Emergency crews responded quickly and worked to extinguish the fire and secure the scene. One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the pilots.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are expected to investigate the cause of the crash, which remains under review.
This is a developing story. More details will be shared as they become available.
