A wedding celebration turned into tragedy in the United States when a newlywed groom was killed in a helicopter crash just hours after his marriage ceremony, while his wife survived with injuries.
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According to US media reports, 25-year-old Dev Faji, an Atlanta resident of Indian origin, was travelling with his wife in a helicopter shortly after their wedding when the aircraft crashed near Dawson County in the state of Georgia.
Hours after celebrating his wedding, Indian-origin pilot Dave Fiji was killed in a helicopter crash in Georgia, while his bride Jessni survived with injuries.
The tragedy has left the Kerala-origin family devastated as investigators probe the crash.
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Authorities said the helicopter went down during the journey, resulting in the deaths of Dev Faji and the pilot. The bride sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Her condition has not been officially disclosed.
Reports indicated that the couple had boarded the helicopter after concluding their wedding celebrations and were heading toward the airport. However, deteriorating weather conditions reportedly developed during the flight, which may have contributed to the accident. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine its exact cause.
The incident has shocked family members, friends and the wider community, who had gathered to celebrate what was meant to be one of the happiest days in the couple’s lives. Messages of sympathy and support have poured in for the grieving family following the tragedy.
Media reports said Dev’s parents, George and Fiba Faji, had emigrated to the United States from the Indian state of Kerala several years ago. The family is well known within the local Indian-American community.
Aviation authorities are expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the crash, including an assessment of weather conditions, flight records and the helicopter’s technical status.
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The accident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with air travel in adverse weather conditions and highlights the importance of thorough safety assessments before flights.
The tragic loss has left a family mourning and transformed a day of celebration into one of profound grief just hours after the couple exchanged their wedding vows.