A North Carolina information channel’s helicopter spun uncontrolled Tuesday, killing the pilot and meteorologist who had been on board.
WBTV’s Jason Myers and Chip Tayag died after the plane collided with the bottom alongside the southbound aspect of I-77 freeway close to the Nations Ford Highway exit simply after 12 p.m., the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Division mentioned.
“The WBTV household is grieving a horrible loss. Our information helicopter Sky3 crashed mid-day Tuesday with two of our colleagues on board. Meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag misplaced their lives,” WBTV mentioned in an announcement.
Regardless of slamming into the bottom just some ft from the interstate, the helicopter prevented putting different autos.
Witnesses informed police that Tayag made “diversionary strikes away from the freeway” to save lots of the lives of these on the highway.
“The pilot is a hero in my eyes,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings mentioned.
“Due to his heroic acts, there have been no additional accidents or autos on the freeway concerned within the incident.”
The Carolina Panthers will maintain a second of silence at its tree lighting Tuesday night within the duo’s honor, the workforce introduced.
Tayag had been a pilot for greater than 20 years, WBTV mentioned. He joined the information workforce in 2017.
Myers grew up watching WBTV earlier than becoming a member of changing into a member of the workforce, the outlet mentioned. He leaves behind his spouse, Jillian, and 4 youngsters.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
Emergency personnel work on the scene of the helicopter crash on the aspect of Interstate 77 South.
Chip Tayag was a “hero” who maneuvered the helicopter to keep away from vehicles on the freeway, police mentioned.
Jason Myers, a meteorologist, leaves behind a spouse and 4 youngsters.
The tragic crash induced main site visitors jams within the space. Police had been solely in a position to open freeway lanes close to the collision website 4 hours after the accident. A number of roads and ramps will stay closed till tomorrow morning, nevertheless.
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