A passenger who was one of two people killed in a plane crash in New York while on the way to a funeral sent one final heartbreaking text message to his family and friends before his death.
The two men - identified by Jewish news organization, Belaaz News - were Boruch Taub and Binyamin 'Ben' Chafetz, and died after the single-engine aircraft they were traveling in experienced technical issues.
Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, the pair were on their way to a funeral when their plane crashed around 5:25 PM in Westchester County.
The Beechcraft Bonanza A36 plane had been piloted by Taub and Chafetz was the only passenger on board when the tragedy occurred.
A final text message reportedly sent by Chafetz while on board told family and friends to pray for him after the plane began experiencing engine issues.
In the messages, which were tweeted and later deleted by Jewish Week writer Jacob Henry, Chafetz reportedly wrote: "I love you and the kids.
"I am sorry for everything I have done. Aay rehillim. We lost engines. Call and have community say [Tehillim]."
Tehillim is the Hebrew term for the Book of Psalms, the reading of which is viewed in Jewish tradition as a vehicle for gaining God's favor and is something that is often turned to in times of trouble or danger.
The message had been sent in a friend WhatsApp group and Henry followed up the original message by adding: "The source is telling me that he believes Chaifetz meant to send these messages to his wife."
The flight had left JFK airport and was headed to a small regional airport near Cleveland when the pilot reported engine issues.
Air traffic control at Westchester County Airport lost connection with the pilot at around 5:30 PM with the Federal Aviation Administration telling theyeshivaworld.com the aircraft had been about one mile from the airport at the time.
A call was then made to report low oil pressure before "mayday" was heard over air traffic control minutes later, signaling an emergency. No further contact was made with the plane after this.
First responders set up mobile command posts in several places in the area, including outside the airport and in nearby streets, while crews were also dispatched on foot in wooded areas nearby, as well as boats and dive teams searching nearby bodies of water, according to News 12.
Rescue efforts were made more difficult by rain, thunder, and lightning but the wreckage of the plane was found just before 11:00 PM in the trees on a small island on a reservoir near the airport.
Flight radar showed that the plane had made a quick descent, plunging thousands of feet in minutes.
Chafetz is survived by his wife Smadar and seven children.
Our thoughts are with Boruch Taub and Binyamin Chafetz's friends and family during this difficult time.
