A pilot and news photographer were last night killed in a horrific helicopter crash in New Jersey.
The crew were on board ABC Action News’ Chopper 6 when it crashed in a wooded area of Burlington County.
It’s unclear what caused the devastating crash at this time.
The chopper is said to have come down at around 8pm near Quaker Bridge Atsion Road and Mullica Hill Road in Washington Township. It was last airborne over Wharton State Forest when it crashed.
Another news helicopter has captured footage of the crash site, which is extremely difficult to access due to it being deep in the woods.
An Action News helicopter carrying a news team pilot and a photographer has crashed in New Jersey. Both were tragically killed (File image of Chopper 6)
Another news helicopter has captured footage of the crash site (pictured), which is extremely difficult to access due to it being deep in the woods
New Jersey State Police rushed to the crash site to seal it off and the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation.
Those involved in the crash have not yet been identified but ABC affiliate WPVI reports that they have a ‘long history’ with the station and had worked there for several years.
Colleagues of the victims and fellow reporters quickly paid tribute online after it emerged they had perished in the crash.
Action News news anchor Matt O’Donnell wrote: ‘All of us at 6abc want to express our deepest condolences to their family and friends.’
Fox 29 reporter Steve Keeley posted: ‘Condolences to our colleagues at Channel 6 on loss of their Action News team members in helicopter crash in New Jersey last night.’
It’s reported that 6abc lease the 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350 A-Star helicopter from U.S. Helicopters Inc. in North Carolina.
U.S. Helicopters Inc. has contacted the families of those involved in the crash.
It’s unclear what caused the devastating crash at this time. Pictured: Police investigating at the scene
Chopper 6 is used by the news team to access areas that are challenging to reach on the ground.
It helps with gathering news such as the weather and aerial shots following incidents on the road.
It comes just over a year after two employees at WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina, were killed in a horrific helicopter crash.
Meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag were found dead after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed along Interstate 77.