An Israeli citizen lost his life as a result of a helicopter crash in South Brunswick, New Jersey Thursday.
The death of the late 44-year-old Israeli pilot Yosef-Ram Yitchak was confirmed by the official state arm of Israel in the United States, the New York City-based Israeli Consulate, according to Maztav.com.
✡️🕯️ — TRAGIC UPDATE: The pilot from yesterday’s helicopter crash in New Jersey has been identified as 44 year old Yosef-Ram Yitzchak, from Israel.
South Brunswick police worked with the Israeli Consul and Israeli police overnight to notify his family. pic.twitter.com/qNTUniD3MV
— Belaaz News (@TheBelaaz) September 1, 2023
The consul stated that the Israeli government had been in touch with the pilot’s family to work toward a transfer of his remains for burial back in his home country, The Jerusalem Post reported. (RELATED: Video Shows Dramatic Escape Of Police Officers From Deadly Helicopter Crash)
Before the crash, witnesses described to officials that the helicopter was “flying erratically,” Planet Princeton reported.
Once the crash occurred, first responders from “across the region” rushed to the area.
The crash took place at the D&R Canal, which is adjacent to Lake Carnegie. The aircraft ended up upside down and mostly submerged. It was significantly damaged and its blades were bent, according to the outlet.
The pilot was found suffering several injuries in the cockpit, per the outlet.
Two members of the rescue team that arrived on the scene pulled him out, but to no avail.
In South Brunswick, New Jersey, an Israeli pilot has been killed in a helicopter crash.#BreakingNews | #Accident | #Fatalhttps://t.co/zNiTMgKzYc
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) September 1, 2023
The pilot was the only casualty from the crash. (RELATED: Tourist Helicopter Crash In Siberia Kills Four, Injures 12)
South Brunswick Police Chief Jim Ryan said in a press conference that “The two men lifted the helicopter and pulled the man from [it,] dragging him onto the shoreline nearby. The pilot had suffered massive injuries and life saving efforts were not possible,” Planet Princeton noted.
The helicopter was a Robinson R-22 light utility chopper, the outlet noted. The aircraft took off at the Princeton Airport, which is located in the township of Montgomery, New Jersey.
No one on the ground was injured as a result of the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board as well as the Federal Aviation Administration have each opened probes into the fatal incident.