A sad aviation accident has hit Hammonton, New Jersey, on Sunday, November 6, 2023. One person was killed, and another is still experiencing life-threatening injuries. Hammonton, in Atlantic County, is the cultural center of the country’s blueberry capital and has a population of approximately 15,000 people. It’s located approximately 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia.
At around 11:25 AM, local police received reports of a helicopter crash in the area. Emergency responders were on site almost immediately only to discover one helicopter fully consumed by flames. As fire crews battled the blaze, police quickly secured the area and rendered immediate assistance to the victims.
With great sadness, the crash claimed the life of the motorcyclist, whose name has not yet been published, as they await notification of the family. A second victim was transported to a local hospital. As of this writing, medical personnel were still working to save their lives after such high impact and speeds.
Denise Mazzeo, Hammonton’s deputy municipal clerk, expressed her devastation over the crash in a statement released to the Associated Press. The specific reason for that crash is not yet known. Investigators are doing a good job of understanding what caused this preventable tragedy.
Hammonton’s connection to agriculture runs far deeper than that. It borders the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a beautiful and remote desert-like forest that covers more than one million acres. The community’s notable above-water topographical features and above-canopy arboreal architecture draw in hundreds of thousands aviation devotees. Consequently, helicopters often fill the skies overhead.
Our local authorities are still morning gathering information and supporting affected families during this horrible time. The community comes together in love and support to share the grief of their loss. Their thoughts are with the injured and they wish them a speedy recovery.