Were there any vehicles or people on the ground?

I sa this exactly happen!

Helicopters don't have rudders.

R.I.P. to the person who's not coming home for dinner tonight. Condolences to the family for having to deal with such a tragedy.

One witness said it was white with blue on the bottom, can anyone confirm?? I may know whose Eurocopter this was..

Kudos to your son for helping. Please ignore the ignorant people commenting on your post and critiquing your comments. Rudder, Rotor. who cares if she got the word correct...we knew what she meant. and I'm sure there were no expectations of hopping barbed wire fences but as humans we should help. As a first responder he did what he is trained to do and did it well.

RIP to the pilot who may have died because birds got into his rotors.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Authorities-pilot-dies-in-NJ-helicopter-crash-3868285.php

Margaret - I'm going to disagree with you here. As a trained EMT (Monmouth County) with over 10 years experience I can say for certain that crossing (running across, even) multiple lanes of traffic on a busy highway to get to a scene violates a number of very specific codes of conduct with regard to crew safety (in this case, a crew of one).

You might say that the situation required it however I can tell you, based on my military experience as a USAF pararescue troop with exposure to a number of plane crashes, that the chances of finding a surviving patient in an incident like this are zero. To risk ones life to get to the scene - and potentially the lives of motorists on Rt 1 as well - is worthy of some level of rebuke.

Clarence - I witnessed the helicopter falling from the sky from about a mile North East of it. I was clearly too far to consider assisting, and would have only been in the way of first responders. It was NOT obvious (due to trees obscuring the horizon) that the helicopter had crashed into a field. It crashed fairly near to a large mall and its parking lot, so it COULD have been the case that there would be injured (and worse) people on the ground. I applaud the station 23 individual making the split-second decision to get to the scene prepared to render aid if needed.

Good Lord. Thank you first responder and Gods speed to the pilots loved ones. Now go help someone!

Rest in peace, Michael Scarfia.

We calculate our risks, mitigate the ones we can, and accept the rest, in trade for the joy, and freedom of flight.

It's a good trade.

-FP

I watched, along with my husband and five year old daughter, in horror as the helicopter drove from the sky nose first. I am completely grateful to the pilot who didn't survive, he lead himself to a field. He avoided crashing on crowded malls below where my family was going about our Saturday. May he rest in peace...I didn't even know him but his death I will never forget.

who owned the helo?
why was a retired nyc police officer flying around in a $2.9 million dollar helo?

This "pending approval" stuff. Is this from the whitehouse about censuring our words and Obama against free speech.

What ever happened to I disagree with what your saying , but I will die fighting to protect your right to say it .

I am so tired of hearing about these "first responders" wtf - these volunteer ambulance jerks are such wannabees. They have all been rejected from being real po po or kicked out for being incompetent. They drive around with their little blue lights on their cars. And before one of you losers responds with the blah blah blah they are great they have training you will want them when you need them - let me stop you now - no I dont need them - no one does. 99% of the time they are just a mop up crew anyway. I love when I get the chance to get in front of them and jam on my breaks so they have to stop with their goofy little lights blinking like a 2 year old with a tonka truck.

No disrespect intended, but most reports said the main rotor separated from the vehicle after bird impact which means he had absolutely no control over the vehicle and would therefor be unable to steer it away from anything.

Dominick, you are a grossly immature child. RIP.

Terrible tragic accident. Dominick I hate to say it but the ambulance and fire people with the blue lights are ridiculous. If you are ever on 206 when the fire and ambulance people come with their blue lights take cover. They are out of control.

The reason a retired nypd officer was flying a helo is that it was his job. He flew in the military and also for the nypd. Mike was a great guy and even better pilot . Shame on anyone for speculating without any knowledge. RIP mike scarfia it was a pleasure knowing you.

I cant stand to read any more rude, obnoxious and disgusting comments! This pilot was my family, MY GODFATHER. As I sit here crying, unable to fully comprehend the horrific loss my family has been forced to accept, I come across this B.S....you people are vile and just evil! I want to thank everyone who offered assistance or left kind words. If you were a witness, I'm so sorry you or your children saw this. As I pray for strength for my family and all of the people who knew and loved my uncle Mike, I will pray for the people who witnessed it and all who tried to help, I'll also pray for the "rude commentors"...godforbid nothing like this ever happens to someone you know. Stacy