Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry Killed in Helicopter Crash
Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry was killed in a helicopter crash at the Flying W Airport in Medford, N.J., on Friday (Sept. 8).
An NBC affiliate in Lexington, Ky. first reported the news. The 50-year-old singer was one of two people killed, the other being 30-year-old pilot James Evan Robinson. Bandmate Eddie Montgomery was not on board the aircraft at the time of the accident, but he was at the airport.
When reached by phone, a representative of the venue would not comment other than to say the show was canceled. According to the Courier-Post, the crash happened around 12:30PM local time on Friday. The helicopter had taken off and was attempting to return. A distress call went out and emergency officials say they arrived with a minute by the helicopter crashed into a swampy area near the runway. Gentry was extracted from the helicopter and taken to a local hospital before being pronounced dead. It took crews several hours to extract Robinson's body.
Country Stars Who've Faced Terrible Tragedy
Montgomery Gentry are one of country music's most successful duos, with more than a dozen Top 10 hits throughout the 2000s. "Hell Yeah," "Gone" and "Something to Be Proud Of" are their most well-known hits. The country-rockers are known for a rowdy live show and an appreciation for Jim Beam whiskey.
In recent years they've battled illness and other personal tragedy. Montgomery beat cancer while going through a divorce. In 2015 his son Hunter died. Gentry stood by his wife as she battled cancer of her own. Less than a month ago, his father, Lloyd, died.
See Troy Gentry's Best Moments Through the Years