Nine people are deadafter twoU.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters crashedduring a routine training mission in Kentucky on Wednesday evening, military officials said.
“We can confirm two aircraft from the 101st were involved in an accident last nightresulting in serveral casualties,” the 101st Airborne Division said in a tweet early Thursday morning. “Right now our focus is on the Soldiers and their families who were involved.”
Military officials later confirmed there were nine fatalities,The New York Timesand the Associated Press reported.
WKYC Channel 3/Youtube
Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky, saidfatalities are expectedfrom the crash. “We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected.@kystatepolice,@KentuckyEMand local officials are responding,” he wrote on Twitter. “We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected.”
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Blackhawk Helicopter.TOMS KALNINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
According to WKDZ-FM, Trigg County Coroner John Mark Vinson wascalled to the scenefollowing the accident. The outlet also reported a witness, who lives about a half mile from the crash site, saying they heard “a pop” and “two booms.”
A spokesperson for the Kentucky State Police said they were assisting Fort Campbell authorities following an"aircraft incident"in a rural area, according to CNN.
NBC News also reported state police as stating the accident happened in apartly woodedarea and that the authorities had created a safety perimeter around the scene.
Kentucky State Police Post 1 spokesperson Trooper Sarah Burgess said they were contacted around 10:15 p.m. local time, according to CNN. Burgess added that “numerous agencies” were assisting with the incident.
The number of crew members involved in the crash has not been released.
source: people.com
