Two men died and one woman survived a helicopter crash leaving a wedding in North Georgia on Friday night, the coroner confirmed.
Federal aviation officials are investigating the crash, which involved a couple that had just been married, according to a WSB-TV interview with several members of the groom’s family.
Ted Bearden, the Dawson County coroner, said Sunday he was not releasing the names or information about the deceased at this time due to the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the families.
“They were leaving a wedding,” Bearden said. “These two families are absolutely devastated.”
He confirmed that a woman survived the crash.
The three individuals were reportedly in a Robinson R66 helicopter when it crashed into a wooded area near Dawsonville around 10:35 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. Officials were in the area of Dawsonville throughout the weekend.
The NTSB will examine the aircraft and move it to a secure facility for further evaluation, according to a press statement. The agency’s investigation will focus on the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.
According to WSB, the groom and pilot were killed in the crash. The bride, Jesni Sam, reportedly survived. She did not respond to a request for comment from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday.
The groom, Dave Fiji, was a 25-year-old resident of Snellville who worked as a pilot for Delta, his father told the television news channel.
“He was a precious child, he was a gift from God for us,” George Fiji told WSB. “He was God-fearing child. So handsome, beautiful.”
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