ST. THOMAS, VI. (THECOUNT) — Country music artist, Kenny Chesney, took to social media to identified Maria Rodriguez as the helicopter pilot killed in a Monday crash in the Virgin Islands.
Rodriguez was piloting a helicopter near St. Thomas Monday afternoon when it went down for unknown reasons. Three other individuals were also killed in the crash.
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According to reports, the crash occurred in a heavily wooded area near Botany Bay after the aircraft departed Cyril E. King Airport Monday afternoon at approximately 3 p.m..
Sources say the aircraft was traveling for the short trip to the western end of St. Thomas.
None of the deceased were officially identified pending notification of next of kin.
Chesney owns a home on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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Geo quick facts: St. Thomas is the gateway isle of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It’s known for its beaches and snorkeling spots. Territorial capital Charlotte Amalie, founded by the Danish in the 1600s, is a busy cruise-ship port. Historic buildings include a 1679 watchtower called Blackbeard’s Castle, in reference to the area’s pirate history. On the harbor, 17th-century Fort Christian is now a local-history museum – wikipedia.