A tragic helicopter crash in rural Georgia has left a groom dead and his bride injured shortly after their wedding ceremony. The incident occurred on Friday evening in Dawson County, according to local reports.
The groom, 25-year-old Dave Fiji, and the pilot were killed when the helicopter went down in a heavily wooded area. The bride, identified as Jessni, survived with bruises and cuts and is expected to be released from hospital in the coming days. The couple had boarded the helicopter after their wedding, heading to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport.
The groom's father, George, told WSB-TV that his son, also a pilot, had expressed concerns about the fog and rainy weather. “He said I wouldn’t fly, we would not fly in this visibility,” George said. The bride was trapped in the wreckage for hours; she later told her father-in-law that she woke up to find her husband lying on her chest, already cold.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash. A spokesperson said the helicopter struck tall trees and landed in a wooded area without catching fire. Investigators have recovered all major components. “NTSB meteorologists are conducting a weather study to understand the impacts that weather may have had on the flight. Preliminary information shows the potential for rain showers, low-level clouds, and thunderstorms in the vicinity,” the spokesperson added.
The helicopter was owned by Prestige Helicopters, an Atlanta-based company. Andy Whitaker, director of operations, told WTOC the incident was unprecedented and that the company had maintained a spotless flying record for decades. The pilot, who has not been publicly identified, had flown the same route several times.
The groom’s mother, Pheba Fiji, recalled seeing a “special glow and glory” in her son’s face during the wedding. “Both of them told us they could sense the presence of God at the altar,” she said.
