A mid-air collision involving two U.S. Army helicopters led to the tragic deaths of three soldiers and left another injured on Thursday in Alaska. The helicopters were on a training mission at the time of the incident.
The fatal crash took place near Healy, Alaska, claiming the lives of two soldiers on the scene, while a third succumbed to their injuries en route to a hospital in Fairbanks. The fourth soldier is currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries. Further information about the incident remains limited at this time.
The Army is withholding the identities of the deceased soldiers until their families have been informed.
An investigation is underway to find the cause of the crash, with additional information to be disclosed as it becomes available. A team from Fort Novosel, Alabama, will spearhead the inquiry.
Both AH-64 Apache helicopters were carrying two personnel each at the time of the collision. The helicopters were a part of the 1st Attack Battalion, a 25th Aviation Regiment stationed at Fort Wainwright.
Commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, expressed his condolences in an Army statement. In teh statement, he acknowledged the profound loss for the families, fellow soldiers, and the division. He ensured that the full resources of the Army would be made available to support those affected.
This latest incident marks the second accident involving military helicopters in Alaska this year. In February, an Apache helicopter rolled after takeoff in Talkeetna, resulting in injuries to two soldiers. The aircraft was among four en route to a base in Anchorage.
Moreover, in March, a tragic accident occurred when two U.S. Army Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed during a routine nighttime training exercise approximately 30 miles northeast of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, killing nine soldiers.
Healy, the site of the recent helicopter collision, is situated about 10 miles north of Denali National Park and Preserve and roughly 250 miles north of Anchorage.