ABC News Helicopter Crashes, No Reports Of Survivors

A helicopter crashed in Burlington County, New Jersey, on Tuesday night.

The helicopter was affiliated with Philadephia’s ABC Action News and had pilot Monroe Smith, 67, and photographer 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty on board.

Both Smith and Dougherty perished in the crash, and their next of kin have been notified.

In a statement, ABC Action News reported, “Our hearts are just broken for these men. They’re broken for their families.”

The helicopter for local ABC station Action News 6 in Philadelphia crashed in a wooded area of New Jersey while returning from an assignment, killing the pilot and the photographer on board. The FAA is investigating the cause of the crash. pic.twitter.com/Bh37KrQcPQ

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 20, 2023

A TV News crew was killed when a helicopter crashed as it was returning from an assignment in New Jersey for ABC's Philadelphia affiliate. Officials are investigating what caused the crash. pic.twitter.com/X5GGjIqOb6

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 21, 2023

Per Fox 29:

A helicopter crash in Burlington County has ended in tragedy for a local news outlet.

ADVERTISEMENT

ABC Action News confirms that a photographer and pilot onboard died after Chopper 6 crashed in Wharton State Forest Tuesday night.

The pilot was Monroe Smith, 67, of Glenside, Pa. and the photographer was Christopher Dougherty, 45, of Oreland, Pa. The victims were identified Wednesday afternoon.

The helicopter came down near Quaker Bridge and Mullica River roads in Washington Township around 8 p.m.

SKYFOX was live over the scene as crews searched the area, and a small fire appeared to break out near the scene.

Part 2: https://t.co/OiLfn3XpXr pic.twitter.com/1UznizTYCG

— DJTru (@DJTru) December 21, 2023

Here’s what ABC 6 News reported:

It has been a devastating day for the Action News team after two crew members on board Chopper 6 were killed in a crash on Tuesday night.

A pilot and a photographer were in the helicopter when it went down in Washington Township, New Jersey just after 8 p.m. They were returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore.

The pilot was 67-year-old Monroe Smith of Glenside, Pa. and the photographer was 45-year-old Christopher Dougherty of Oreland, Pa.

They have a long history with our station and have been working as part of the Action News team for years.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Our hearts are just broken for these men. They’re broken for their families,” reporter Katherine Scott said during a report on Action News. “We just can’t believe this has happened.”