A newlywed groom was tragically killed in a helicopter crash just six hours after exchanging vows with his bride in Georgia. Investigators confirmed that his wife survived but was seriously injured in the crash.
According to KNOE, Dave Fiji and his wife Jesni got married at The Revere in Dawsonville on Friday night. At the end of the celebration, the couple boarded a helicopter bound for DeKalb-Peachtree Airport as a special sendoff before spending the night at a hotel in downtown Atlanta. Around 10:30 p.m., the helicopter crashed in a wooded area just minutes away from the wedding venue.
Jesni Was Trapped in the Wreckage for Six Hours
Although Jesni survived, Dave and the pilot did not. She was trapped in the wreckage for approximately six hours before rescuers were able to reach her. Her father-in-law confirmed that she had cuts and bruises but no broken bones. He also shared a heartbreaking detail about the moment she woke up inside the wreckage.
“She saw blood on him, but by then, his body was completely cold. She’s a nurse, so she knew he was gone,” his father, George Fiji, told the outlet.
Dave Fiji Was a Pilot Who Warned About the Weather Conditions
George shared that his son, Dave, was a pilot and had recently become a first officer at Delta Air Lines. Before the crash, Dave reportedly raised concerns about the weather conditions and warned the pilot directly.
“Since my son was a pilot, he told the pilot that there is zero visibility, and when there is zero visibility like this, we never fly,” George explained. The pilot reportedly told the couple they would be flying at a higher altitude before proceeding.
The Crash Is Currently Under Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the incident. No details surrounding the cause of the crash have been released at this time.