January 25, 2026
The law was among more than 100 bills outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy signed before leaving office, including legislation on cyberharassment penalties and a psilocybin study.
Nikita Biryukov, New Jersey Monitor
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Tag: New Jersey
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Check out which Philly-area restaurants, bars and chefs are 2026 James Beard Award semi-finalists
The James Beard Foundation released its list of semi-finalists for this year’s prestigious award.
For 2026, 13 restaurants, bars and chefs made the list from Philadelphia, New Jersey and the suburbs.
In the running for best chef include:
Other notable nominations include Greg Vernick of Vernick Philadelphia for Outstanding Restaurateur and Kalaya in Philadelphia for Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water.
Finalists will be announced on March 31, 2026, with the announcement of the winners coming in June.
For the full list of semi-finalists, click here.
Emily Rose Grassi
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Bitter blast blankets tri-state area as dangerously cold temperatures lead to weather advisory
After a frigid and snowy weekend, the temperatures turn even more bitterly cold for the start of the week.
Drier air is moving in as the departing coastal low pulls away, so while a few flurries may linger, the accumulating snow is done for the day. But, be careful! The low temperatures that stick around will result in some black ice and general icy patches.
The big story now is the cold: several rounds of fronts will keep temperatures well below normal this week, with teens and single‑digit lows, highs only in the 20s, and wind chills dipping below zero at times.
There is a cold weather advisory up for parts of New Jersey for late Monday night into Tuesday morning with below zero wind chills expected.
The tri-state area will get a brief mid‑week bump into the 30s and lower 40s on Thursday before another push of arctic air arrives for the weekend, sending highs back into the teens and lows into the single digits.
And looking ahead, there is the potential for a snowfall event next weekend.
Storm Team 4
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Where’d the money go? NJ school district discovers $15 million is missing
There’s a sudden and unexpected money problem in Hackensack.
The school district in New Jersey recently discovered its facing a $15 million budget shortfall. So, where exactly did the money go?
That’s the question families have been asking after the Board of Education’s stunning announcement last week. Although short on details, the board’s president is blaming past leadership for the error.
“This news is deeply troubling and upsetting,” BOE President Jennifer Harris said. “This problem was not created overnight, rather it is a culmination of improper budgeting practices over the past several years.”
The news drew criticism and outrage at a recent public meeting by parents and community members.
“I feel completely blindsided,” one person said at a meeting last week.
“Who dropped the ball and how do we fix it?” one person asked the board.
In a recent letter to parents, Acting Superintendent Andrea Oates-Parchment said the following:
“This is a challenging moment for our entire school community, and I want to acknowledge the uncertainty and stress that financial news like this can bring, particularly when it involves our schools and our children… As a result of this $15 million budget gap, we will need to make difficult decisions that will impact our district and school operations.”
Concern is growing among the Hackensack community over whether teachers could be out of work amid so much financial uncertainty.
“This decision sends a message. It tells educators that their dedication is disposable – it tells students when money gets tight, they are the sacrifice,” another speaker at last week’s meeting said.
The board says it plans to present the full findings at the next meeting this Wednesday, Jan. 21. In the weeks ahead, they also promise to present a proposed corrective action plan.
NBC New York requested additional comment from the acting superintendent and mayor to better understand how the shortfall happened and what could be done to fix it. Neither shared a response before the weekend.
Adam Harding
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Judge rules driver’s statements after crash killed Gaudreau brothers usable in court
The driver accused of hitting and killing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in 2024 lost another effort in court on Thursday.
An appellate judge in New Jersey said that the statements Sean Higgins made after the crash will be allowed to be used at trial.
What happened on Jan. 15 was a ruling on an appeal that was made by Higgins’ attorneys challenging a November court decision that the statements he made were lawfully obtained.
Defense attorneys said that they should be thrown out because Higgins wasn’t properly read his Miranda rights.
The judge on Thursday said the attorneys did not demonstrate sufficient justification.
Higgins admitted to police officers at the scene of the crash that he five or six beers and that he hit the brothers as they were riding bicycles at the time.
The deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
John Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were killed in a crash that happened as they were riding their bikes north on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at 8:19 p.m.
Officials said at that time they were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was headed north on County Route 551, driven by Higgins according to investigators.
Court documents note that Higgins tried to pass two vehicles ahead of him and entered the southbound lanes.
An SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes in order to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers as they rode their bikes on the right side of the road, court documents claim.
Higgins then tried to pass the SUV on the left side shoulder, admitting in a recording played in court on Wednesday that he thought the vehicle ahead of him was moving too slowly, and struck the Gaudreau brothers, police believe.
Both brothers died from injuries they suffered in the crash.
Also, court documents claim, a trooper at the scene determined that Higgins’ breath smelled like alcohol, and he is alleged to have admitted to drinking five to six beers prior to the crash.
Investigators also said Higgins – who was employed at a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center at the time – failed a sobriety test.
Higgins has been charged with aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide and other offenses in the deadly crash.
Matt DeLucia and Emily Rose Grassi
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Democrats Propose State Laws to Limit ICE After Minneapolis Shooting of Renee Good
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats across the country are proposing state law changes to rein in federal immigration officers and protect the public following the shooting death of a protester in Minneapolis and the wounding of two people in Portland, Oregon.
Democratic bills seek to limit ICE
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul wants New York to allow people to sue federal officers alleging violations of their constitutional rights. Another measure aims to keep immigration agents lacking judicial warrants out of schools, hospitals and houses of worship.
Oregon Democrats plan to introduce a bill to allow residents to sue federal agents for violating their Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure.
New Jersey’s Democrat-led Legislature passed three bills on Monday that immigrant rights groups have long pushed for, including a measure prohibiting state law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has until his last day in office Tuesday to sign or veto them.
California lawmakers are proposing to ban local and state law enforcement from taking second jobs with the Department of Homeland Security and make it a violation of state law when ICE officers make “indiscriminate” arrests around court appearances. Other measures are pending.
“Where you have government actions with no accountability, that is not true democracy,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco said at a news conference.
Democrats also push bills in red states
Democrats in Georgia introduced four Senate bills designed to limit immigration enforcement — a package unlikely to become law because Georgia’s conservative upper chamber is led by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a close Trump ally. Democrats said it’s still important to take a stand.
“Donald Trump has unleashed brutal aggression on our families and our communities across our country,” said state Sen. Sheikh Rahman, an immigrant from Bangladesh whose district in suburban Atlanta’s Gwinnett County is home to many immigrants.
Democrats in New Hampshire have proposed numerous measures seeking to limit federal immigration enforcement, but the state’s Republican majorities passed a new law taking effect this month that bans “sanctuary cities.”
In Tennessee, instead of considering a Democratic measure that would limit civil immigration enforcement at schools and churches, Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he was working with the White House on a separate package of immigration-related bills. He hasn’t said what they would do.
Trump administration sues to stop laws
States have broad power to regulate within their borders unless the U.S. Constitution bars it, but many of these laws raise novel issues that courts will have to sort out, said Harrison Stark, senior counsel with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
“There’s not a super clear, concrete legal answer to a lot of these questions,” he said. “It’s almost guaranteed there will be federal litigation over a lot of these policies.”
That’s already happening.
California in September was the first to ban most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces on duty. The Justice Department said its agents won’t comply and sued California, arguing that the laws threaten the safety of officers who are facing “unprecedented” harassment, doxing and violence.
The Justice Department also sued Illinois last month, challenging a law that bars federal civil arrests near courthouses, protects medical records and regulates how universities and day care centers manage information about immigration status. The Justice Department claims the law is unconstitutional and also threatens federal officers’ safety.
Targeted states push back
Minnesota and Illinois, joined by their largest cities, sued the Trump administration this week. Minneapolis and Minnesota accuse the Republican administration of violating free speech rights by punishing a progressive state that favors Democrats and welcomes immigrants. Illinois and Chicago claim “Operation Midway Blitz” made residents afraid to leave their homes.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin accused Minnesota officials of ignoring public safety and called the Illinois lawsuit “baseless.”
Associated Press writers John O’Connor in Springfield, Illinois; Sophie Austin in Sacramento, California; Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; and Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Photos You Should See – January 2026
Associated Press
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“Possibly deadly” cheese recalled from 20 states, including NY, NJ, CT: FDA
Several cheese products from a New Jersey-based company have been recalled in at least 20 states, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
As of January 6, the cheese products were under a Class 1 recall classification, meaning there is a “reasonable probability” that the product could cause “serious adverse health consequences or death.” The recall was first rolled out on November 25, 2025.
The products from The Ambriola Company, based out of West Caldwell, NJ, first issued the recall after routine testing confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes deadly infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.
The ongoing recall of grated Pecorino Romano products sold under different brands impacted the following states:
Arizona Maine California New Jersey Colorado New York Connecticut Ohio Delaware Oregon Florida Pennsylvania Georgia Texas Illinois Virginia Indiana Washington Massachusetts Wisconsin “We take food safety very seriously and immediately alerted stores and distributors to remove the affected products from shelves,” said Phil Marfuggi, chief executive officer of The Ambriola Company in a statement. “We are working closely with the FDA and continuing to test our products and facilities to fully understand the situation.”
The products included in the recall are the following:
- Locatelli
- Grated Pecorino Romano 4 oz and 8 oz plastic cup & lid, 12 units per case (Lot Numbers: 1000572472 1000570734 1000570735 1000570736 1000572482 1000572483 1000572485)
- Grated Pecorino Romano, 5 and 10-pound plastic bags (units) (Lot numbers: 1000570725 1000572476 1000570724 1000572475 1000570726 1000570727 1000572477)
- Grated Pecorino Romano 48/8oz Shipper, Plastic Cup & Lid, 48 units per case (Lot numbers: 1000570750 1000572499 1000572514)
- Pinna
- Grated Pecorino Romano 2/10, 10-pound plastic bags (units) (Lot number(s): 1000572486)
- Boar’s Head
- Grated Pecorino Romano, 6 oz Plastic Cup & Lid, 12 units per case (Lot number(s): 1000572486)
- Pecorino Romano Grated, 5-pound plastic bag (unit) (Lot number(s): 1000570093 1000570738)
- Sam’s
- Pecorino Romano grated, 1.5 lb Plastic Bags, 12 units per case (Lot number(s): 1000570107 1000570766 1000572513)
- Ambriola
- Piccante grated Pecorino Romano, 5 and 10-pound plastic bags (units) (Lot number(s): 1000572981 1000570737 1000570092 1000572487)
No other Ambriola, Locatelli, Member’s Mark, Pinna, or Boar’s Head products are included in the recall.
Customers who have purchased the affected products should not consume them and should discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
For more information, please contact Ambriola at 1-800-962-8224, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time).
How does Listeria make people sick?
People get sick from Listeria when they eat food contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms can be mild and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. More severe symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
Listeria infection is tricky because symptoms can start quickly, within a few hours or days after eating contaminated food. But they can also take weeks or even up to three months to appear.
Those most vulnerable to getting sick include very young children, people over 65, and people with weakened immune systems or who are pregnant.
What symptoms are linked to Listeria?
Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, and can also lead to a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Symptoms can appear quickly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food. The infection is especially dangerous for people over 65, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.
NBC New York Staff
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NJ man accused of sexually assaulting 12-year-old girl
A New Jersey man is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting an underage girl.
Alex Torres-Lopez, 35, of Bridgeton, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.
On Jan. 5, 2026, Trenton Police reported to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office that a 12-year-old girl from Trenton had been sexually assaulted. Investigators then identified Torres-Lopez as the suspect.
Investigators said Torres-Lopez met the girl on the social media platforms Snapchat and Roblox. He then sexually assaulted the girl on multiple occasions in Trenton in the fall of 2025, according to officials. Torres-Lopez also had the girl send him pornographic images and videos of herself, investigators said.
Torres-Lopez was arrested on Jan. 7, 2026, at his home in Bridgeton.
While Torres-Lopez is in custody, the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information on Torres-Lopez, contact SVU Sergeant Sherika Salmon at 609-960-3119. You can also submit an anonymous tip on the Mercer County Prosecutor’s office website.
Anyone with information about suspected improper contact by an unknown person communicating with children on the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children should contact the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at 888-648-6007.
David Chang
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Fire scorches leasing office next to Camden County apartment complex
A fire ripped through a leasing office next to an apartment complex in Camden County, New Jersey, overnight.
Officials reported that around 2:30 a.m. on January 10, 2026, crews were called to the Lakeview Apartments in Gloucester Township after reports of a fire.
NBC10 was on scene, and flames were visible through the roof of the leasing office as firefighters worked to contain the fire.
Officials said it took crews about two hours to get the fire under control.
There was no damage to any of the nearby residential apartment complexes, according to officials.
“It’s more than just a small fire because the entire building was involved, now the good thing was this was separate from any of the residential, so there was really no imminent danger to the residents here; it was just the management office,” said Captain Timothy Kohlmyer of the Gloucester Township Police Department.
No one was in the leasing office at the time of the fire, and no one was reportedly injured, officials said.
At this time, it is unclear how the fire started.
Anyone who witnessed the fire or has information that may assist investigators is urged to contact the Gloucester Township Police Department at (856) 228-4500.
Cherise Lynch and Neil Fischer
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Dead whale found on bow of ship at South Jersey port prompts investigation
A dead whale found on the bow of a ship at the Gloucester Marine Terminal in South Jersey has prompted a federal investigation into the circumstances of the animal’s death.
Michael Tanenbaum
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Sources: Police shoot and kill suspect with knife, three others found dead in NJ home
Police shot and killed a knife-wielding suspect outside a home in Piscataway, where three people were later found dead, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Mitchell Avenue and River Road. Police responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call from a man reporting that someone was inside the home with a knife. Upon arrival, officers saw the suspect on the porch holding a knife.
The man, whose identity has not been released, fled from the porch, leading to a foot chase that ended when the suspect charged at the officers, according to law enforcement sources. Police attempted to subdue the suspect with Tasers, but they were ineffective, sources told News 4.
After the suspect continued to advance toward the police, the responding officers fatally shot him in the street.
“They told him to stop several times; they gave him commands to stop,” said Jessica Conroy, a resident of the area.
Following the shooting, officers discovered three other deceased individuals inside the home. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating their deaths.
“This is a really nice neighborhood,” Conroy told NBC New York. “I never saw anything bad at the other house.”
The identities of the civilians and officers involved have not yet been released.
The police investigation is ongoing.
NBC New York Staff
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Annual antique toy train show rolls through South Jersey museum
DEPTFORD, New Jersey (WPVI) — Jeffrey Norcross has been collecting and curating a museum of American history for more than 30 years.
And each year, he rolls out antique toy trains from his childhood for all to see.
This year marks the 23rd Annual Antique Toy Train Show at The Museum of American History at Deptford, NJ.
At present, Norcross is displaying three of his timeless trains from the mid-20th century, which still impressively roar across the tracks all these years later.The train show is a gateway to the rest of the two-story museum, which features agricultural artifacts, fossil specimens, glasses and bottles, pieces of Pine Barrens history, and more.
Norcross, an archaeologist, proudly excavated many of the items himself at 161 sites in 16 states.
This year’s train show will run through February 1, 2026. Then, an art show will launch at the museum from March 8th through the 22nd.
To learn more, visit their website at www.southjerseymuseum.org.
RELATED: ‘All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey’ is a big hit with families
Families can keep score in a scavenger hunt for big league memorabilia at the All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Matteo Iadonisi
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Jeep belonging to missing South Jersey man found on Wednesday
A Jeep that matches the description of the vehicle that belongs to a missing man in South Jersey was found on Wednesday afternoon.
SkyForce10 was over the scene around 4 p.m. on Dec. 31 as a black Jeep Wrangler with the license plate “RUNT 61” was being towed on a flat bed tow truck followed by at least one police car.
Authorities reported that they are searching for Stephen Iannotti who was reported missing by his family after they hadn’t heard from him since Christmas Day.
While searching through Ring cameras in Iannotti’s neighborhood, police saw his Jeep with the license plate “RUNT 61” leave his driveway at 12:45 a.m. on Dec. 26, officials said.
Iannotti is known to frequent the areas of the Mount Royal section of East Greenwich and the Borough of Pitman.
If you see Iannotti, please call 911 right away or the Logan Township Police Department at 856-589-0911.
NBC10 Philadelphia has reached out to the Logan Township Police Department for more information on their search for Iannotti.
Emily Rose Grassi
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Second pilot involved in New Jersey helicopter crash dies, both victims identified by police
A second helicopter pilot critically injured in a midair collision in South Jersey has died from his injuries, police said Monday. The other pilot involved in the crash died at the scene.
Hammonton Police identified the pilots as 65-year-old Kenneth L. Kirsch, of Carney’s Point, New Jersey, and 71-year-old Michael Greenberg of Sewell, New Jersey. Police said Kirsch was piloting an Enstrom model F-28A helicopter, and was flown to a hospital in critical condition after the crash.
According to police, Kirsch died from his injuries at the hospital.
Greenberg, who was piloting an Enstrom model 280C, was pronounced dead at the crash site near Basin Road and White Horse Pike in Atlantic County. The pilots were the only people on board both choppers, the Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday.
Both helicopters had taken off from Hammonton Municipal Airport shortly before the collision at 11:25 a.m. One of the choppers was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating the crash.
Investigators were back at the crash site early on Monday. A preliminary report from the NTSB could come as early as Monday. The agency said its investigation will focus on the “the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.”
“I just told him everything was going to be OK”
Following the crash, CBS News Philadelphia spoke with Caitlyn Collins, who said one of the helicopters landed in her backyard. Collins said she ran toward the wreckage and stayed with Kirsch, who later succumbed to his injuries, as first responders raced to the scene.
“I just held his hand, I just told him everything was going to be OK and everything was fine, and I told him — you know, you could hear the sirens — I said, they’re coming for you,” Collins said.
Other neighbors in the area helped direct emergency crews as they arrived at the crash site.
In a social media post, New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill said, “My heart is broken for the family of the pilot killed in yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash in Hammonton. I am praying for the full and fast recovery of the other pilot injured and am grateful for the emergency responders on the ground.”
Sherrill is a former Navy helicopter pilot.
This is a developing story.
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Helicopters collide above New Jersey, 1 pilot dead, another critically injured
One pilot is dead and another has life-threatening injuries after the helicopters they were operating collided in mid-air above New Jersey, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia. CBS Philadelphia’s Ray Strickland has more.
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Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured
Two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and critically injuring another, authorities say.Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters.The Federal Aviation Administration described the crash as a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and Enstrom 280C helicopter over Hammonton Municipal Airport. Only the pilots were on board each aircraft. One was killed, and the other was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.Sal Silipino, owner of a cafe near the crash site, said the pilots were regulars at the restaurant and would often have breakfast together. He said he and other customers watched the helicopters take off before one began spiraling downward, followed by the other.“It was shocking,” he said. “I’m still shaking after that happened.”Hammonton is a town of about 15,000 people located in Atlantic County in the southern part of New Jersey, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Philadelphia. The town has a history of agriculture and is located near the Pine Barrens, a forested wilderness area that covers more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares).The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash, Friel said.Investigators will likely first look to review any communications between the two pilots and whether they were able to see each other, said Alan Diehl, a former crash investigator for the FAA and NTSB.“Virtually all midair collisions are a failure to what they call ‘see and avoid,’” Diehl said. “Clearly they’ll be looking at the out-of-cockpit views of the two aircraft and seeing if one pilot was approaching from the blind side.”Although it was mostly cloudy at the time of the crash, winds were light and visibility was good, according to the weather forecasting company AccuWeather.
Two helicopters crashed midair in New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and critically injuring another, authorities say.
Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters.
The Federal Aviation Administration described the crash as a midair collision between an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and Enstrom 280C helicopter over Hammonton Municipal Airport. Only the pilots were on board each aircraft. One was killed, and the other was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Sal Silipino, owner of a cafe near the crash site, said the pilots were regulars at the restaurant and would often have breakfast together. He said he and other customers watched the helicopters take off before one began spiraling downward, followed by the other.
“It was shocking,” he said. “I’m still shaking after that happened.”
Hammonton is a town of about 15,000 people located in Atlantic County in the southern part of New Jersey, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Philadelphia. The town has a history of agriculture and is located near the Pine Barrens, a forested wilderness area that covers more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares).
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash, Friel said.
Investigators will likely first look to review any communications between the two pilots and whether they were able to see each other, said Alan Diehl, a former crash investigator for the FAA and NTSB.
“Virtually all midair collisions are a failure to what they call ‘see and avoid,’” Diehl said. “Clearly they’ll be looking at the out-of-cockpit views of the two aircraft and seeing if one pilot was approaching from the blind side.”
Although it was mostly cloudy at the time of the crash, winds were light and visibility was good, according to the weather forecasting company AccuWeather.
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One person killed after 2 helicopters crash in Hammonton, NJ
One person has died and another person is in critical condition after two helicopters collided and crashed in Hammonton, New Jersey Sunday.
Just before 11:30 a.m., the Hammonton Police Department said two helicopters crash-landed near Basin Road and White Horse Pike in Atlantic County.
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said an Enstrom F-28A helicopter and an Enstrom 280C helicopter were involved in the deadly collision near Hammonton Municipal Airport. The helicopters collided mid-air and only the pilots were on board each aircraft, according to the FAA.
One of the helicopters was “engulfed in flames,” according to a statement from Hammonton Police.
CBS News Philadelphia
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the Hammonton Fire Department and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash. A preliminary incident report will be posted within the next business day by the FAA.
In a statement the NTSB said the agency is looking into the “inflight collision.” Once the wreckage from the scene is documented, the aircrafts “will be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation.”
The agency’s investigation will focus on three areas including “the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.” A preliminary report by the NTSB is expected within 30 days of the incident.
First responders are asking the public to avoid the area as emergency crews continue to respond to the scene.
This is a developing story.
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1 killed, another injured after 2 helicopters collide and crash in New Jersey
One person was killed and another person critically injured after two helicopters collided and crashed in Hammonton in Atlantic County, New Jersey, on Sunday.
The collision, which occurred at around 11:25 a.m., caused both helicopters to crash at around the 100 block of Basin Road.
Hammonton resident Dan Dameshek shared video with NBC10 that showed one of the helicopters fall from the sky, causing smoke to billow above the town.
Dameshek said that he was coming back from the gym when he heard a loud snap and then looked up to see the two helicopters spinning out of control.
“Immediately, the first helicopter went from right side up to upside down and started rapidly spinning, falling out of the air,” Dameshek said. “And then it looked like the second helicopter was okay for a second, and then it sounded like another snap or something… and then that helicopter started rapidly spinning out of the air.”
SkyForce10 was also over the scene to find both helicopters crashed in a field.
Firefighters have since been able to put out the flames, officials said.
The FAA said in a statement that each helicopter involved only had pilots on board and that they would assist an investigation into the collision that will be led by the NTSB.
The identities of those involved have not yet been released.
NBC10 is headed to the scene and is working to learn more about what happened.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
Brendan Brightman and Siobhan McGirl
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