What was meant to be the beginning of a dream honeymoon turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a newlywed groom was killed in a helicopter crash just minutes after leaving his wedding reception.
The devastating incident occurred on May 29 in Dawsonville, Georgia, where 25-year-old Dave Fiji and his bride, Jessni, had celebrated their wedding in front of hundreds of family members and friends.
Following the ceremony, the couple planned a romantic helicopter journey to Atlanta to begin their honeymoon. However, weather conditions deteriorated as thick fog blanketed the area, causing delays to the flight.
Despite concerns over visibility, the pilot and the newlyweds eventually decided to proceed with the journey at around 9.30pm.
According to reports, the helicopter attempted to climb above the dense fog shortly after take-off. Tragically, just minutes into the flight, the aircraft suddenly lost control and plunged into a nearby forest.
The impact killed both the pilot and Dave at the scene.
Jessni miraculously survived the crash but remained trapped in the wreckage deep inside the dark forest for nearly five hours before rescuers managed to locate and free her.
In a heartbreaking account shared by Dave’s father, George, Jessni regained consciousness after the crash only to discover that the wreckage had pinned her down and her new husband was lying motionless across her chest.
A nurse by profession, she instinctively checked Dave’s pulse, but the reality was devastating.
“He was already cold,” George said while recounting the emotional moment.
Adding to the tragedy, Dave himself was reportedly a trained pilot and had expressed concerns about the poor visibility before the flight.
According to his father, Dave had previously remarked: “In conditions like this, we wouldn’t fly and shouldn’t fly.”
Jessni was rushed to hospital following the rescue. Doctors confirmed she suffered multiple cuts and bruises but remarkably escaped without any broken bones.
While her physical injuries are expected to heal, family members say the emotional trauma of losing her husband on their wedding night will remain with her forever.
The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation into the crash.
Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the accident and why the flight proceeded despite the extremely poor weather conditions.
What began as a celebration of love has now become a heartbreaking story of loss, leaving a family mourning a life cut short just moments after a new chapter had begun.
