ISTANBUL

A second pilot has died following a mid-air collision of two helicopters in the US state of New Jersey, police said, according to US media reports.

Hammonton police identified the pilots as Kenneth L. Kirsch, 65, and Michael Greenberg, 71. Greenberg was pronounced dead at the scene, while Kirsch died later at a hospital, according to CBS News.

Police Chief Kevin Friel said witnesses reported that the helicopters were flying very close to each other when the crash took place, ABC affiliate WPVI reported.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said an Enstrom F-28A and an Enstrom 280C collided near Hammonton Municipal Airport at 11.25 am local time (1625GMT) on Sunday. Only the pilots were on board, said the agency.