Daijiworld Media Network – Georgia

Georgia, Jun 1: An Indian-origin pilot was killed in a helicopter crash in the United States just hours after marrying his long-time partner, turning what was meant to be a joyous wedding celebration into a heartbreaking tragedy.

The victim, identified as Dave Fiji, died when a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed in a heavily wooded area near Dawsonville, Georgia, shortly after take-off on Friday night. The helicopter pilot also lost his life in the accident, while Dave’s wife, Jesni, survived and is recovering in hospital.

According to reports, the newlyweds had boarded the helicopter following their wedding ceremony at The Revere in Dawsonville. The flight, bound for DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, was arranged as a special send-off after the wedding attended by around 400 guests.

Dave’s father, George Fiji, recalled that his son had been overjoyed throughout the wedding celebrations.

“My son was so happy. I was just standing there watching my son and admiring him. He looked so handsome,” he said.

Family members said Dave and Jesni met through church connections between South Carolina and Georgia before their friendship developed into a relationship.

The helicopter crashed before reaching its destination, prompting an extensive search operation. According to George Fiji, it took rescuers several hours to locate the wreckage in the dense wooded area.

Jesni reportedly remained trapped inside the wreckage for nearly six hours before emergency responders found her.

Describing what Jesni later told the family, George said she regained consciousness to find her husband lying motionless beside her.

“She said when she woke up she saw my son Dave resting on her bosom. She saw blood on him, and by then his body was completely cold. She's a nurse, so she knew he was gone,” he said.

Jesni suffered cuts and bruises but escaped without any broken bones. Family members said she remains devastated by the loss but is recovering physically.

Dave had fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a pilot and was working as a first officer with Delta Air Lines.

His father also revealed that Dave had expressed concerns about poor weather and limited visibility before the flight departed.

“Since my son was a pilot, he told the pilot that there is zero visibility and when there is zero visibility like this, we never fly,” George said.

According to family members, Jesni later recalled that the helicopter pilot had responded by saying they would fly at a higher altitude.

The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, which has not yet determined the cause of the accident.

As the family mourns the loss, George said their faith is helping them cope with the tragedy.

“Without God there would be many questions — why? God granted us a perfect wedding, and within a few hours everything changed into tragedy. The only place we can find answers and peace is in God,” he said.