Flights end in tragedy for families

Flights end in tragedy for two families
Collision of helicopter, plane over Hudson River claims nine people

updated 19 minutes ago
BLUE BELL, Pa. - For an Italian family it was supposed to be a joyous occasion — the celebration of 25 years of marriage. For a Pennsylvania family, it was a flight to the New Jersey shore that included a passing view of one of the world's most renowned skylines.

But the trips turned to disaster Saturday in the skies over New York when a tourist helicopter ferrying five Italian tourists and a small plane with two Pennsylvania men and one of their sons collided over the Hudson River. Nine people, including three teenagers, died.

The five Italian tourists, all from the Bologna area, were 51-year-old Michele Norelli; his 16-year-old son, Filippo Norelli; his 49-year-old friend Fabio Gallazzi; Gallazzi's wife, 44-year-old Tiziana Pedroni; and their son, 15-year-old Giacomo Gallazzi. The pilot of the helicopter was Jeremy Clarke, of Lanoka Harbor, N.J.


The plane was piloted by Steven Altman, a 60-year-old development executive from Ambler, Penn. With him was his brother Daniel Altman, 49, of Dresher, Pa., and Daniel Altman's 16-year-old son, Douglas.
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