Local News
Mid-Air Collision Involving Two Helicopters in Hammonton
HAMMONTON, N.J. (Atlantic County) — Authorities are investigating a fatal midair collision involving two helicopters that occurred near Hammonton Municipal Airport on Sunday, Dec. 28, at approximately 12:25 p.m. local time, according to law enforcement and aviation officials.
Police confirmed that an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter collided in midair near Basin Road and North White Horse Pike (Route 206). Officials said only the pilots were aboard each aircraft at the time of the collision.
Both helicopters subsequently crash-landed. One aircraft was reported to be fully engulfed in flames, while the second went down in a wooded area, creating challenging conditions for emergency crews responding to the scene.
Firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies were dispatched, and additional resources were requested due to the severity of the incident.
Authorities have confirmed that one person was killed as a result of the crash.
Another individual sustained injuries and was transported for medical treatment.
Officials have not yet released the identities of those involved, pending notification of next of kin.
Video circulating on social media appears to show one of the helicopters spiraling toward the ground following the collision.
Authorities cautioned that the footage has not been independently verified and emphasized that the cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified.
The NTSB will lead the investigation, with support from the FAA, and will examine factors including aircraft operations, pilot actions, airspace coordination, and mechanical condition.
Officials stated that additional updates will be provided by the NTSB as the investigation progresses.
The public is being urged to avoid the area while emergency operations and investigative work continue.
This remains an active and developing investigation, and information may be updated as authorities release confirmed details.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.