Dave Figi and his wife Jesne (Photo/Facebook Jason Matthew)
An Indian-origin pilot was killed in a helicopter crash in the US, just hours after he married his long-term partner, turning what had been a joyous wedding celebration into tragedy. The accident also claimed the life of the helicopter pilot, while the bride survived and is recovering in the hospital.Dave Figi and his wife Jesne boarded a Robinson R66 helicopter after their wedding in Dawsonville, Georgia, on Friday evening. The helicopter was headed to DeKalb Peachtree Airport as part of a private send-off arranged after the wedding, according to Atlanta News First. However, the plane crashed in a densely forested area near the wedding venue shortly after take-off.About 400 guests attended the couple’s wedding at The Revere in Dawsonville.Recalling the celebrations, Dave’s father, George Figi, said his son was thrilled on his wedding day.“My son was so happy. I was standing there watching my son and admiring him. He looked so handsome,” he said.According to family members, Dave and Jesne met through church connections between South Carolina and Georgia before their friendship eventually turned into a relationship.
“Friends who decided to become life partners,” George said as he described the couple.The helicopter crashed before reaching its destination, prompting a massive search operation in the forested area.George Figi said it took rescuers several hours to locate the wreckage. “It took some time to locate the helicopter itself,” he added.According to the family, Jesne remained trapped inside the wreckage for nearly six hours before emergency responders found her.Describing the heartbreaking scene reported by his daughter-in-law, George said that Jesne realized that her husband had died beside her.He said: “She said when she woke up she saw my son Dave lying on her chest. She saw blood on him, and by that time his body was completely cold. She is a nurse, so she knew he was gone.”Gesne suffered cuts and bruises but survived without any broken bones, George said. “She is devastated, but she is recovering,” he added.Dave Figi had dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood, and later fulfilled that ambition by joining Delta Air Lines as a first officer, according to his father.Before the helicopter departed, George said his son expressed concerns about deteriorating weather conditions and poor visibility.“Since my son was a pilot, he told the pilot that there was no visibility, and when there is no visibility like that, we never fly,” George said.According to George, Jesney later told him that the helicopter pilot responded by saying they would fly higher.The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident and has not yet determined the cause of the accident.As the family mourns the loss of Dave Figi, George said their Christian faith is helping them cope with the tragedy.He said: “If it were not for God, there would be many questions: Why? God gave us a perfect wedding, and within a few hours everything turned into a tragedy. The only place we can find answers and peace is God.”
