A family of three has been killed along with a pilot in a helicopter crash.
The family had reportedly been on board a sightseeing tour when the devastating crash took place in Virgin Islands.
The incident took place at around 3pm local time, on Monday.
One person has been identified as Maria Rodriguez according to social media tributes and unconfirmed reports.
According to reports, a family of three including a business owner, his wife and son were on board.
Singer and songwriter Kenny Chesney paid heartfelt tribute to his friend, who is thought to have died in the crash.
He wrote: “She was a dear friend to me and to our island community.
“I have been flying with Maria for over 15 years and we shared a lot of laughs and a lot of life together.â€
“She was always the first person I saw when I landed and the last person I said goodbye to when I would leave island.
“I’m sure going to miss that. It’s fair to say I won’t ever be able to go to the Virgin Islands again without feeling the loss of her. She was such a huge part of my island life.â€
Four people died when the helicopter crashed in the Botany Bay area of St Thomas.
Emergency Services rushed to the scene, where the bodies were recovered.
Maria was a helicopter pilot who was recognised for her actions during Hurricane Irma and Maria.
She had opened her own helicopter companies and was able to fly former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in 2017, reports Ainonline.
According to reports, her home had been hit by both hurricanes – she immediately began flying support missions from her helicopters.
In 2018, she received the HAI’s Pilot of the Year Award.
[ad_2]
