The Philadelphia news photographer and helicopter pilot who were killed in a crash in New Jersey on Tuesday night have been identified by the station.
The deceased photographer is 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty, of Oreland, Pennsylvania, and the pilot is 67-year-old Monroe Smith, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, WPVI announced on its website.
Both had worked with the local outlet for years.
“We are devastated by the news that two of our extended 6ABC family members were lost last night when Chopper 6 went down while returning from an assignment in the Jersey Shore,” a spokesperson told The Post in a statement.
“Our hearts break as we send our deepest condolences and prayers to their families, loved ones and everyone at US Helicopters,” the station said.
The pair were returning to Philadelphia after covering an assignment at the Jersey Shore when the helicopter went down in Washington Township in the New Jersey Pine Barrens shortly after 8 p.m.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, officials said.
The 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350A-STAR chopper was based out of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where it departed shortly after 7:30 p.m. for an assignment in Galloway Township in Atlantic County, according to the outlet.
Flight data shows the helicopter’s altitude plummeted while heading back to Philadelphia. It crashed in a remote section of the Wharton State Forest.
The fiery debris field was found by New Jersey State Park Police shortly after midnight.
FAA officials arrived at the scene around 3:15 p.m., 6ABC reported. The NTSB is leading the investigation and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
6ABC leased the helicopter through North Carolina-based US Helicopters Inc, where Smith worked for 18 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The aviation company told 6ABC in a statement that the pilot and photographer were two “beloved” long-time employees. They said they are cooperating with investigators to determine the cause of the crash.
“We deeply sympathize with their families and share in their grief as a result of this tragic event. We will share arrangements in accordance with the families’ wishes,” the company said.
6ABC thanked local viewers for their outpouring of support during this difficult time.
“We want to thank all of you for your words of comfort and your condolences as we mourn the loss of our colleagues,” the station said in a report.