Nine soldiers died when two Black Hawk helicopters of the American army collided and crashed during a training exercise in Kentucky on Wednesday night, Army officials said Thursday morning.
Brigadier General John Lubas, the operations deputy commanding officer of the 101st Airborne Division, said the crash occurred early Thursday morning during a routine training flight in southwestern Kentucky.
“This is a truly tragic loss for these families, our Division and Fort Campbell. Our number one priority is caring for the families and the soldiers within our combat aviation brigade,” said Brig. Gen. John Lubas, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) deputy commanding general for operations said in a statement.
One helicopter is said to be carrying five soldiers and the other four. Two HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters crashed in Trigg County around 10 p.m. Wednesday. The crash, about 48 kilometers northwest of Fort Campbell, is under investigation.
Earlier News:
Two US Army helicopters crashed during a routine exercise in Kentucky on Wednesday night. Officials have said that there were many casualties after the Blackhawk helicopter crashed. The crash occurred at 10 p.m. during a training exercise in Trigg County, US Army Fort Campbell said in a statement Thursday morning.
“The status of the crew members is unknown at this time,” the US Army Fort Campbell wrote on its Facebook page. The crew members were “flying during a routine training mission when the incident occurred.”
US Army Fort Campbell wrote on their Facebook page – “Last night at approximately 10:00 pm two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) helicopters crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky. The crewmembers were flying two HH 60 Blackhawk helicopters on a routine training mission when the accident occurred. The status of the crew members is unknown at this time. The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families. More information will be released as it becomes available. The incident is under investigation.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear predicted the death.
“We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected,” Beshear tweeted. He said that the provincial police and local authorities are responding.
“Please pray for everyone affected,” Beshear said in a tweet.
Kentucky State Police, military investigative officials, and several other agencies responded to the scene of the helicopter crash, the military at Fort Campbell said in a statement Thursday morning.
It is said that the situation of the employees on board the helicopter is not yet known.
Speaking to reporters after the accident, the state police said the incident took place in a partially forested area. The state police said that a perimeter has been formed around the wreckage area.
Nicknamed the “Screaming Eagle”, the 101st Airborne Division was activated on August 16, 1942 and is based near the Tennessee border in Kentucky.
This is an evolving story. Please check the news again for updates.
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