Two military helicopters have collided during a training mission over the US state of Kentucky, media reported on Thursday, citing an army spokeswoman.
The incident took place on Wednesday evening, American news otlet said. Reportedly, the aircraft in question were Black Hawk helicopters and the accident resulted in casualties.
Multiple people are feared dead after two army helicopters collided in the air above Kentucky Wednesday night, officials said.
The two 101st Airborne Division helicopters crashed during a routine training mission over Trigg County at around 10 p.m., Fort Campbell officials said.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a tweet early Thursday that he had received "early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected."
We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected. @kystatepolice, @KentuckyEM and local officials are responding. We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected.
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 30, 2023
Early Thursday, Army officials at the fort said the status of the crewmembers who were aboard each HH60 Blackhawk copter was unknown.
However an Army soldier at the scene of the wreck told local radio station WKDZ that multiple people had died and the county coroner had been called.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear also said he suspects there will be multiple fatalities.
“We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected,” Beshear tweeted. “[Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Emergency Management,] and local officials are responding.”
Firefighters responded to extinguish flames shooting out from the mangled aircrafts, photos obtained by the radio station show.
Firefighters responded to extinguish flames shooting out from the mangled aircrafts, photos obtained by the radio station show.
A resident who lives about a half-mile away from the collision site told the station they heard “a pop and two booms” at the time of the mid-air crash.
Army officials said the collision is under investigation.
“The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families,” Fort Campbell officials said
The HH-60, a modified version of the Black Hawk helicopter, can be used for air assaults, medical evacuations and other purposes, according to the Army.
In 2018, seven servicemembers died when an HH-60 crashed in Iraq. A military investigation later found that, as a result of a pilot error, the helicopter had struck a steel cable strung horizontally between two buildings.
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