Dev Vijay, an Indian-origin Delta Air Lines pilot, was killed in a helicopter crash in Georgia, US, hours after marrying his long-term partner, Jesney.The couple boarded a Robinson R66 helicopter after their wedding in Dawsonville on Friday evening.
The plane was scheduled to fly to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport as part of a post-wedding send-off, according to Atlanta News First.The helicopter crashed shortly after take-off in a densely forested area near the wedding venue. The helicopter pilot was also killed. Jesne survived the accident and is recovering in hospital.About 400 guests attended the wedding at The Revere in Dawsonville.According to family members, Dave and Jesne met through church connections between South Carolina and Georgia and later began a relationship.
Dave’s father, George Figi, described them as friends who became life partners. The incident led to the launch of a search operation in the forested area. George Figi said it took rescuers several hours to locate the wreckage. Family members said Gisne remained trapped inside the helicopter for nearly six hours before paramedics found her.Gesne later told the family she regained consciousness inside the wreckage and found Dave next to her, George Figi said.
As a nurse, I realized he was dead. George said she suffered cuts and bruises but did not suffer any broken bones.According to his father, Dave wanted to become a pilot since childhood, became a first officer with Endeavor Air and later joined Delta Airlines as a first officer.George Figi also said his son expressed concerns about weather conditions before the flight departed. He said Dave told the helicopter pilot that visibility was bad. According to George, Jesney later recalled that the pilot responded by saying they would fly higher. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident. The authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident.
