'True hero' killed in plane crash while transporting dogs to animal shelter

A beloved animal rescue pilot and a dog have died in a plane crash as he was transporting three animals to a shelter.

Seuk 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 dogs also died in the Sunday crash but two managed to survive.

Kim had been set to deliver the dogs to the no-kill Animal Shelter of Schohaire Valley (ASSV), in Howes Cave. He was part of a network of volunteer pilots known as "freedom flight."

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The group transport pets that had been on euthanasia lists at high-kill shelters to other animal rescue groups. Forever Changed Animal Rescue said Kim flew "countless hours" as he helped relocate abandoned animals.

Seuk Kim was praised as a "true hero for the animal rescue community"
(Image: Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley)

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 ASSV said it would oversee the two dogs' medical recoveries ahead of being put up for adoption.

A post shared on its Facebook page today said: "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."

An obituary for Kim on everloved.com described him as a "bright light" who was "witty, spontaneous and full of boundless generosity." It continued: "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 on the website has seen donations flood in following Kim's death. As of Wednesday evening, $57,258 (£45,162) has been raised in donations.

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