Two U.S. soldiers killed in helicopter crash in Texas: fire and evacuations
Two U.S. soldiers were killed on Wednesday when an AH-64 Apache military helicopter belonging to Fort Hood crashed in a field near Salado, Texas.
The crash sparked a large grass fire, prompted the evacuation of some residents, and led authorities to close nearby roads.
Fort Hood confirmed that an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter had crashed, killing the two soldiers aboard. Authorities have not released their names pending notification of their families.
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office said it received emergency calls at around 1:34 p.m. local time reporting a helicopter crash in an area south of Salado, a town located approximately 30 miles southeast of Fort Hood.
Deputies who arrived at the scene found helicopter wreckage and a grass fire that Cliff Coleman, a spokesperson for the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, described as “out of control.”
The two soldiers were pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time. Coleman said the helicopter crashed in a field without striking any homes or other structures, and no additional injuries were reported. He described the incident as a “violent crash.”
Fire and resident evacuations
The helicopter crash sparked a vegetation fire in the area, prompting authorities to close sections of a nearby road as a precaution while some residents were evacuated.
The Salado Fire Department issued a public safety alert urging residents to stay away from the area and warning that the road near the crash site had become impassable.
The fire department asked motorists to use alternative routes, emphasizing that this would keep traffic routes open for firefighters and emergency personnel responding to the incident.
Reports indicated that the fire broke out after the helicopter crashed in the field, while emergency crews continued working to deal with the consequences of the accident.
Fort Hood-based helicopter
The U.S. military confirmed that the aircraft involved was an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter stationed at Fort Hood.
Brigadier General Ethan Devin, the acting commanding general at Fort Hood, said the immediate priority for the forces was to secure the crash site, support the initial emergency response, and assist the families of the crew members.
Fort Hood is located near the city of Killeen, Texas, approximately 30 miles from the crash site near Salado.
Investigation into the cause of the crash
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Hood is leading the investigation into the incident. Authorities have not yet announced the cause of the crash.
The identities of the two soldiers who died have also not been released. Officials said their names would be made public after their families had been notified.
Local authorities confirmed that no other people were injured and that no homes or other structures were damaged when the helicopter went down.
A two-seat attack helicopter
The AH-64 Apache is a two-seat attack helicopter. The pilot sits in the rear cockpit, while the co-pilot/gunner occupies the front seat.
The helicopter is operated by the U.S. Army, and the aircraft involved in the crash was assigned to Fort Hood in Texas.
In a statement, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said two soldiers were killed when the Apache crashed during operations at Fort Hood. He called on people to pray for the families of the two soldiers and for the entire Fort Hood community.
Abbott added that Texas would remain indebted to those who serve the state and the nation.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, while military and local authorities continue to manage the crash site and the aftermath of the resulting fire.
