A dream wedding turned into a nightmare in the United States after 26-year-old Indian-origin pilot Dave Fiji died in a helicopter crash just hours after marrying longtime partner Jessni in Georgia.
Dave, whose family traces its roots to Kerala, was travelling with his new bride for a special post-wedding sendoff when the Robinson R66 helicopter crashed near Dawsonville. The helicopter pilot was also killed in the accident, while Jessni survived with injuries and is recovering in hospital.
According to Dave’s father George Fiji, the Delta Air Lines first officer had warned about dangerous flying conditions before takeoff.
“Dave told the pilot there was zero visibility and that pilots never fly in such conditions,” his father said.
The couple had tied the knot earlier that day in the presence of nearly 400 guests. But the celebration ended in tragedy when the helicopter failed to reach its destination and crashed in a remote wooded area.
In a heartbreaking account, George Fiji said Jessni remained trapped in the wreckage for nearly six hours before rescuers found her.
“She woke up and saw Dave resting on her bosom. She saw blood on him and realised he was gone,” he said.
The US National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash.
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