A pilot has been killed and another critically injured after two helicopters collided mid air and crashed near an airport in New Jersey.
The horror collision took place at 11.25am on Sunday near Hammonton Municipal Airport.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said one person was killed and another was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The FAA confirmed that the crash was between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C and that only the pilots were on board.
Eyewitness footage captured a helicopter spinning out of control before slamming into the ground.
Another video posted on social media from a nearby Tractor Supply parking lot shows thick black smoke rising over the crash site.
Hammonton Fire Department confirmed it responded to an ‘aviation-related incident’ near Basin Road.
Officials have asked residents to avoid the area at this time.
‘Due to the nature of the incident, an extensive investigation at both the state and federal levels will be required,’ the Hammonton Fire Department said in a statement on Facebook.
The cause of the collision remains unknown.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified and will lead the investigation into the crash.
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way said she was made aware the crash and is monitoring the situation.
Hammonton has population of 15,000 and lies 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia.
The Daily Mail has contacted Hammonton Police Department for further details.
This is a developing news story.
