A Virginia pilot who was dedicated to rescuing shelter dogs was killed Sunday when his small plane crashed in the Catskill Mountains while flying several dogs for adoption to an animal shelter in the northern part of the state.
Seok Kim, a 49-year-old father of three, flew from Maryland to Albany to adopt on Sunday as part of a nonprofit organization that transports rescue animals from overcrowded shelters to their homes. During the trip, she was killed along with one of her three dogs. You're more likely to find a home.
Whiskey, a labrador mix, and Pluto, an 18-month-old Yorkie terrier mix, both survived the fractures, according to the Schoharie County Animal Shelter, the nonprofit organization Kim had surrendered the dogs to.
Visibility was poor Sunday, and just before the plane crashed into a forest just about 55 miles from its destination, Kim asked for permission to change altitude due to turbulence. Fox 5 DC reported.
The married father of three from Springfield, Virginia, was remembered as a “bright light” in the lives of his loved ones. According to his obituary.
“Over the years, Sok helped save the lives of hundreds of animals that would otherwise have been euthanized due to overcrowded animal shelters,” Schoharie County Animal Shelter Director Maggie Pryor said in a statement. I did,” he said.
His 16-year-old daughter, Leah Kim, said her father spent the last years of his life devoted to rescuing animals.
“He died doing what he loved, which was rescuing animals,” she told Fox.
Cathay West, who runs Cuddles & Kisses K9 Rescue in Baltimore, said she last saw Kim in October when she flew the dog from Tennessee to Maryland just before euthanasia.
“He brought me the mother dog and her five puppies,” West said. “He was very keen to encourage other pilots to get involved in volunteer work. I think this is a good thing to do to keep these dogs from dying in shelters.”
Kim also used planes to transport supplies to hurricane-hit areas in North Carolina. According to his Facebook page.
A statement from his family said Kim was originally from South Korea and “came to this country with nothing but a dream and built a meaningful and generous life through hard work and perseverance.”
“He was a kind and selfless man who always went out of his way to help others, no matter the circumstances,” the statement said. “His legacy will live on in the countless human and animal lives he touched.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Comes with post wire.
