Seuk Kim Obituary, Death; – A pilot from Virginia and a rescue dog he was transporting tragically lost their lives when the aircraft he was operating crashed in New York on Sunday, according to officials.
However, two other dogs were later discovered to have survived the incident, which occurred in the snowy terrain of the Catskill Mountains, as reported by authorities.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office identified the pilot as 49-year-old Seuk Kim from Springfield. He was piloting a Cessna T210L plane en route from Maryland to Albany shortly after 6 p.m. when the crash occurred.
The aircraft went down in a secluded area of Windham, approximately 35 miles southwest of Albany. The flight was carrying three dogs and was affiliated with a nonprofit organization dedicated to transporting rescue animals with the assistance of volunteer pilots, as stated by Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky.
Responders discovered Kim deceased at the crash site alongside one of the dogs. Another dog, a Labrador-mix puppy named Whiskey, was found alive but with two broken legs, while the third dog sustained minor injuries.
Whiskey was subsequently transported to a veterinary hospital in Connecticut, as indicated by the nonprofit organization to which Kim was delivering the dogs, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County. The other surviving dog was identified as Pluto, an 18-month-old Yorkie terrier mix.
An outpouring of tributes for Kim emerged on an online memorial on Monday, with fellow dog rescuers expressing gratitude for his flights and his efforts in coordinating pilots nationwide.
“Throughout the years, Seuk played a crucial role in saving the lives of hundreds of animals that would have otherwise faced euthanasia due to overcrowding in shelters,” stated Maggie Pryor, director of the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County.
A statement from Kim’s family revealed that he originally hailed from South Korea and “arrived in this country with little more than a dream, and through diligence and determination, he created a life filled with purpose and generosity.”
“He was a compassionate and selfless person who consistently went out of his way to assist others, regardless of the situation,” the statement continued. “His legacy will endure.”
