He was described as a hero
A beloved animal rescue pilot and a dog have died in a plane crash.
Suek Kim, 49, was transporting three dogs from Maryland to Albany in New York, when the plane crashed in Windham, in the state’s Catskill Mountains.
One of the three dogs also died in the crash which happened on Sunday but two of the animals managed to survive.
Kim was taking the animals to the no-kill Animal Shelter of Schohaire Valley (ASSV), in Howes Cave and was part of a network of volunteer pilots known as “freedom flight.”
The group transport pets that had been on euthanasia lists at high-kill shelters to other animal rescue groups.
Forever Changed Animal Rescue hailed Kim as a real life superhero and said he flew “countless hours” as he helped relocate abandoned animals.
ASSV Executive Director Maggie Pryor told CNN : “Over the years, Seuk helped to save the lives of hundreds of animals who would have otherwise been euthanized due to overcrowding at animal shelters.”
The two dogs who survived the crash are being cared for ahead of being put up for adoption.
A post shared on its Facebook page read: “Seuk was a true hero for the animal rescue community. We were blessed to work with him on multiple rescue flights and his shining light will be missed by so many…He lived his life to help others and truly made this world a better place.”
In an obituary posted on everloved.com, Kim was described as a ‘bright light’ who was ‘witty, spontaneous and full of boundless generosity’.
It said: “From a young age, Seuk dreamed of taking to the skies, and he made that dream a reality by becoming a pilot.
“He found immense joy in flying and used his passion to help others, including his recent work with a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and transporting dogs to safe homes. Seuk was more than just a pilot; he was a champion for others, a friend to all, and a deeply loved member of his family.
“He loved to cook, he was an avid baseball fan and above all, he loved his family with all his being. His bodacious spirit, generous heart, and endless capacity for love will be profoundly missed by his wife, Anna, three kids, parents, sibling, Sejin, mother, extended family, and countless friends.”
A fundraiser set up in memory of the pilot has raised $57,258 (£45,162) as of yesterday evening.
