Crime
Pilots Identified as Kenneth Kirsch and Michael Greenberg in Fatal Midair Helicopter Collision in Hammonton
HAMMONTON, N.J. (Atlantic County) — A second helicopter pilot critically injured in a midair collision in South Jersey has died from his injuries, police confirmed Monday, bringing the death toll from the crash to two.
The collision occurred Sunday near Basin Road and White Horse Pike, shortly after both aircraft departed Hammonton Municipal Airport. Hammonton Police identified the pilots as Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, of Carney’s Point, and Michael Greenberg, 71, of Sewell.
Police said Kirsch was piloting an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition following the crash.
Authorities confirmed Monday that Kirsch later succumbed to his injuries. Greenberg, who was flying an Enstrom 280C helicopter, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel described the two men as longtime friends who shared a deep passion for aviation and were well known at the local airport.
“They’ve been flying for quite some time,” Friel said. “They were kind of a staple at the Hammonton airport. They would frequently fly in, meet each other to have a meal together, and then fly out.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the pilots were the only occupants aboard both helicopters at the time of the crash.
Investigators said the aircraft had taken off from Hammonton Municipal Airport shortly before the 11:25 a.m. collision. When firefighters arrived, one of the helicopters was fully engulfed in flames.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA.
NTSB investigators returned to the crash site early Monday to document the debris field, which officials said extends approximately 100 yards.
A spokesperson for the NTSB said both helicopters are scheduled to be removed from the site on Tuesday and transported to a secure facility for further examination.
A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, though officials cautioned that the full investigation could take considerably longer.
“It’s going to be a little while,” Chief Friel said. “They are very meticulous. They try to recover every part and piece of each aircraft to determine whether there was a mechanical malfunction, a component failure, or possible pilot error.”
In a statement shared on social media, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill expressed condolences to the victims’ families and gratitude for first responders.
“My heart is broken for the family of the pilot killed in yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash in Hammonton,” Sherrill wrote. “I am grateful for the emergency responders on the ground.”
Sherrill is a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, adding personal weight to her remarks.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Multiple people were injured after a U-Haul truck drove into a crowd during an Iranian protest on Veterans Avenue in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to police and eyewitness accounts.
The incident occurred near the federal building at 1338 Veteran Avenue, where demonstrators had gathered for a pro–Pahlavi, anti-regime rally.
Video circulating on social media shows a U-Haul truck bearing political slogans related to Iran’s monarchy entering the area of the protest and moving directly through a group of demonstrators.
Witnesses reported that as the truck approached the crowd, several protesters attempted to block its path, striking the vehicle and trying to pull the driver out.
In some footage, individuals can be seen attempting to remove or cover slogans displayed on the truck. Despite these efforts, the driver continued inching forward and ultimately drove into people in the crowd.
Authorities stated that multiple individuals were injured in the incident.
While no fatalities have been confirmed, witnesses described the situation as chaotic and potentially deadly.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and treated victims, while law enforcement worked to secure the area.
Police said individuals on the ground attempted to confront the person inside the U-Haul prior to the vehicle moving through the crowd.
Officers subsequently established a perimeter and began moving demonstrators away from the emergency response zone to allow first responders to operate safely.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet released the identity of the driver or confirmed whether the incident is being investigated as an intentional act or a traffic-related offense.
Officials indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that further details will be provided as they become available.