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“Multiple casualties” are confirmed after two 101st Airborne Division helicopters crash in southwestern Kentucky, the said the military without immediately disclosing how many Air Assault crew members were killed or injured.
Two HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters crashed around 10 p.m. Wednesday in Trigg County near the Tennessee border, officials at nearby Fort Campbell said.
“The status of the crew members is unknown at this time,” the statement read on the base’s Facebook page. Crew members were flying “on a routine training mission when the incident occurred”.
Fatalities are expected, Governor Andy Beshear said when first responders arrived on the scene.
“We have bad news from Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities expected,” Beshear said on Twitter ‘at night. “Please pray for all affected.”
Beshear will travel to Fort Campbell to “support our troops and their families,” he said Thursday morning tweet.
Kentucky State Police personnel assisted Fort Campbell authorities after an “aircraft incident” in a rural area, a spokesman said.
State police received the call around 10:15 p.m. and rushed to an area with a field and woods, said State Police Post 1 spokesman Trooper Sarah Burgess, adding that “numerous agencies” were assisting.
No residential areas are affected, she said.
Fort Campbell personnel are “focused on caring for the military and their families,” the statement said.
“I am devastated to hear about the Army helicopter accident over Kentucky involving our brave 101st Airborne,” Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement on Tuesday. Twitter. “My team is in contact with the military and authorities on the ground. Please pray for our military and their families as we learn more.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.