CATASTROPHEUNITED STATES OF AMERICA
US Army soldiers killed after helicopters crash in Alaska
2 hours ago2 hours ago
The three soldiers were conducting a training mission in the interior of Alaska, near the town of Healy. The crash follows similar fatal incidents in February and March.
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Three US soldiers have died after two helicopters collided and crashed during a training mission in Alaska on Thursday.
Officials said two soldiers died at the scene while the third died on the way to hospital. A fourth soldier was injured in the incident.
“This is an incredible loss for these soldiers’ families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division,” said Major General Brian Eifler, commanding general of the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division to which the troops belonged.
Investigation underway
The two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters crashed near the town of Healy.
“The incident is under investigation and more information about the incident will be released when it becomes available,” the 11th Airborne Division said in a statement.
Healy is a community of about 1,000 people in Alaska’s interior, near Denali National Park and Preserve.
It is notable for being the closest town to a former school bus that was converted into a backcountry hut, popularized by the book Into the Wild, which was made into a film of the same name. The bus was removed in 2020.
In late March, two US Army Black Hawk helicopters also crashed during a training flight in Kentucky, killing all nine soldiers on board. In February, two Tennessee National Guardsmen were also killed when their helicopter crashed during a training flight in Alabama.
zc/msh (AP, Reuters, AFP)
