Pilot and rescue dog killed in remote woods in New York; two dogs survive

A plane crash in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, claimed the lives of a pilot and a rescue dog he was transporting, while two other dogs on board survived, as authorities reported.
Seuk Kim, 49, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, on Sunday evening when his small plane crashed in a remote area near Windham, about 35 miles southwest of Albany.Kim, a volunteer pilot from Springfield, Virginia, was transporting three rescue dogs for a non-profit organisation.
Preliminary investigations indicate Kim died on impact, according to Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky. Poor visibility and turbulence were reported prior to the crash, with Kim seeking permission to change altitude moments before the accident.
Among the three dogs on board, two survived. Whiskey, a Labrador-mix puppy with broken bones, was found buried in the snow and has since been taken to a veterinary hospital in Connecticut’s Middleton. Pluto, an 18-month-old Yorkie terrier mix, suffered only minor injuries.
Kim, a South Korean immigrant, was widely praised for his dedication to animal rescue. He had volunteered for years with organisation that transport animals from overcrowded shelters, often saving them from euthanasia.
“Seuk helped save hundreds of animals over the years,” said Maggie Pryor, director of the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County, the organization Kim was flying for. “His selflessness made an immeasurable impact.”
Cathay West of Kuddles & Kisses K9 Rescue in Baltimore remembered Kim as a tireless advocate. “He worked so hard to spread the word about volunteering and saving dogs,” she said.
Tributes poured in from fellow rescuers and friends on Monday, lauding Kim’s generosity and dedication to his mission. His family described him as a “selfless individual” whose legacy would live on through the lives he touched, both human and animal.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. Rescuers found the wreckage late Sunday in a snow-covered forest, about two miles from the nearest road.