A pilot and a photographer have been identified as the two people who died after a 6ABC News helicopter crashed in New Jersey.
Pilot Monroe Smith, 67, and photographer Christopher Dougherty, 45, were aboard the helicopter when it crashed in the woods of Burlington County on Tuesday evening.
The two men have a long history with the Philadelphia station and have worked as part of the Action News team for years.
The helicopter landed near Quaker Bridge Atsion Road and Mullica Hill Road in Washington Township around 8 p.m.
According to NBC Philadelphia, it was last flying over Wharton State Forest, where it was last seen just 75 feet above the ground.
Photographer Christopher Dougherty (left) and pilot Monroe Smith (right) were aboard the helicopter when it crashed in a wooded area of Burlington County on Tuesday evening.
The two men have a long history with the station and have worked as part of the Action News team for years
A news helicopter from Philadelphia captured footage of the crash site, which is extremely difficult to access because it is deep in the forest.
Officers were contacted about a missing helicopter around 11 p.m. Tuesday, a few hours before a State Park Police officer discovered a debris field.
The crash site is part of the Pinelands, a million-acre wilderness area spanning seven counties and filled with dense forests and rivers.
New Jersey State Police rushed to the scene to cordon off the scene and the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation.
New Jersey State Parks Police Chief George Fedorczyk said the investigation was halted overnight Tuesday because of poor visibility.
Fedorczyk said: “Due to the remote location of the crime scene and limited visibility, it was decided at this time to suspend the investigation until shortly after dawn.”
“Know that our thoughts are with the pilots, their families and the media community.”
According to 6abc, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator will begin processing and documenting the crime scene Thursday morning.
NTSB spokeswoman Jennifer Gabris said, “During the on-site phase of the investigation, the NTSB is neither determining nor speculating on the cause of the accident.”
New Jersey State Police rushed to the scene to cordon off the scene and the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation
According to 6abc, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator will begin processing and documenting the crime scene Thursday morning
Another news helicopter captured footage of the crash site, which can be seen here and is extremely difficult to access due to its location deep in the forest
The helicopter last flew over Wharton State Forest around 8 p.m. Tuesday evening
In a statement, 6ABC said: “We are devastated by the news that two of our extended 6ABC family members were lost last night when Chopper 6 crashed on the Jersey Shore while returning from a mission.”
“Our hearts break as we extend our deepest condolences and prayers to their families, loved ones and everyone at US Helicopters.”
NBC10 Philadelphia said in a statement: “Our hearts go out to the families of Monroe Smith and Christopher Dougherty.”
Reporter Katherine Scott said: “Our hearts are just broken for these men.” They are broken for their families. We just can’t believe this happened.”
6abc leased the helicopter, a 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350, from US Helicopters Inc. in North Carolina.
In a statement, the company said: “We have deep sympathy for their families and share their sadness over this tragic event.”
“We will make arrangements based on the families' wishes.” We will be cooperating with the FAA and other agencies during the investigation and are still gathering information, so we cannot comment or provide further information regarding the cause of this tragedy.
It is currently unclear what caused the devastating crash. The investigators are now investigating the reasons
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our valued colleagues.”
The Chopper 6 is used by the intelligence team to reach areas that are difficult to reach on the ground.
It helps in gathering news such as the weather and aerial photos after incidents on the road.
It comes just over a year after two WBTV employees died in a horrific helicopter crash in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag were found dead after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed on Interstate 77.