John Del Giorno
When Metro Traffic partnered with WABC-TV and Eyewitness News to launch News Copter 7, John was chosen to lead the effort. Already an airborne reporter, studio announcer, and producer with Metro, he has been on board ever since.
John specializes in live coverage of breaking news. As both airborne reporter and camera operator, he has been at the scene of countless news events in the region including the Long Island Wildfires of 1995, TWA Flight 800, Egypt Air 990, the search for JFK Jr., flooding from Tropical Storm Floyd, and the Blackout of 2003.
On September 11, 2001, News Copter 7 was airborne as the tragic events at the World Trade Center unfolded. John's coverage began as the second plane flew past his helicopter over New York Harbor and ended more than five hours later, his reports and images seen worldwide.
Parts of this work are featured within the September 11 gallery at the Newseum in Washington DC.
His recollections of September 11 have been included with the country's leading journalists in two books, Running Toward Danger (Rowan and Littlefield, 2002) and Covering Catastrophe (Bonus Books, 2002).
In 2008, John received an Emmy Award for best On-Camera Talent: Live Reporter. He is the first helicopter reporter ever to be recognized in this category.
When not flying in News Copter 7, John can sometimes be found cruising above major sporting events nationwide, serving as a blimp camera operator.
John serves on the Board of Directors for the National ENG Helicopter Association, a group dedicated to safety awareness within the news helicopter industry nationwide.
John is a graduate of Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science in Television-Radio. He is lifelong resident of New Jersey and resides there with his wife, traffic reporter Cristina Lang, and their three children.
John's Stories
4 officers injured in Midtown crash involving police cruiser, tractor trailer
Officials say a tractor trailer was involved in the crash.
Man dead, woman critically injured in Bronx apartment fire in Mount Hope
Firefighters faced heavy clutter conditions in the home while battling flames.
Overturned tractor-trailer on NJ Turnpike causes major delays onto Goethals Bridge
The entrances to the bridge from the New Jersey Turnpike and from Route 278 were closed.
Firefighters battle flames at former church building in Yonkers
Officials say flames broke out at around 3 a.m. in the building on Buckingham Road.
Firefighters fight massive flames at North Bergen commercial garage
The commercial garage is located off of Tonnelle Avenue near 86th Street.
Firefighters battle massive flames filling vacant home in Irvington, NJ
Officials say flames broke out inside the home at around 6 a.m.
Police seek suspect who shot man in the back in Hell's Kitchen
The 32-year-old victim from Queens was shot in the back and police are investigating if it stemmed from a possible attempted robbery.
Police respond to 2 separate crashes in Newark involving overturned vehicles
In the second crash, police say a woman with chest and arm injuries was removed from the car by emergency services.
At least 4 injured in multi-vehicle crash in Marlboro
At least four people were injured in the crash between four cars and one truck.
2 people injured after e-bike sets fire in Bronx apartment building: officials
One person suffered a minor injury and another person suffered a serious non-life threatening injury, authorities said.