Photo of news chopper 6, taken by abc news. Chopper 6, a 2013 american eurocopter as-350a-star
Photo of News Chopper 6, taken by ABC News. Chopper 6, a 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350A-STAR

Pilot, Cameraman Killed as News Helicopter Crashes in Pine Barrens Returning from Jersey Shore

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1 min read
December 20, 2023

SHAMONG, NJ – Two people are dead after a news helicopter returning from the Jersey Shore crashed in the Pine Barrens overnight.

A tragic helicopter crash occurred in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, resulting in the loss of two crew members from Chopper Six. The incident happened as the helicopter, which was returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore, went down in Burlington County.

The New Jersey State Police are actively investigating the crash site. The victims, a pilot and a photographer, were last heard from while returning from an assignment in the Galloway Township, New Jersey area. The crash took place after 8 PM over the Wharton State Forest.

Chopper Six, an essential part of the 6abc Action News team, was a 2013 American Eurocopter AS 350, leased from U.S. Helicopters Incorporated based in North Carolina. U.S. Helicopters has a longstanding history with the station and has been integral to their news operations.

The helicopter crew’s contribution to news coverage, often providing crucial information and access to challenging locations, was invaluable. The loss has deeply affected the 6abc family and the wider community.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

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