Two folks had been killed Wednesday when a Fort Hood AH-64 Apache assault helicopter violently crashed right into a subject in Central Texas, sparking a wildfire that pressured evacuations and despatched emergency crews racing to the scene, authorities mentioned.
Bell County Sheriff’s Workplace spokesman Cliff Coleman mentioned authorities acquired the decision concerning the crash at roughly 1:34 p.m.
The helicopter went down in a subject south of Salado, roughly half-hour from Fort Hood. KWTX reported the crash occurred off Dove Hole Lane.
Coleman described the crash as violent and confirmed two folks had been killed. Nobody else was injured.
Coleman recognized the plane as an Apache helicopter and initially mentioned it was believed to be from Fort Hood, however deferred to navy officers for affirmation.
Fort Hood later confirmed the plane was an AH-64 Apache assault helicopter primarily based on the set up. The identities of the 2 folks killed haven’t been launched.
Native emergency providers, navy responders and regulation enforcement had been actively responding to the scene, Fort Hood mentioned in a press release.
“Our speedy precedence is securing the positioning and supporting the preliminary response efforts,” Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, appearing commanding common, mentioned. “Our ideas are with the crew and their households as we await additional data.”
Fort Hood known as the crash an ongoing and creating scenario and mentioned extra data could be launched because it turns into accessible.
The crash sparked a wildfire, prompting a big emergency response, street closures and evacuations.
Coleman mentioned the fireplace remained uncontrolled as of 4 p.m. ET and that some residents had been evacuated due to the flames. KWTX reported that Farm to Market Street 2843 was shut down close to the crash website.
Salado Hearth/Bell County ESD #1 mentioned crews had been battling a “main grass fireplace” alongside FM 2843 and warned the general public that the roadway was impassable within the affected space.
“Please keep away from the roadway and select an alternate route,” the division mentioned in a public security alert. “This can assist maintain site visitors clear for responding fireplace and emergency personnel.”
The division additionally urged drivers to not try and journey via the realm or round emergency autos.
Coleman mentioned Fort Hood is main the investigation into the crash. The trigger has not been launched.
Abhiram Garapati, a Republican congressional candidate in Texas, supplied prayers for these concerned within the crash and the primary responders on the scene.
“My prayers are with these aboard, the primary responders responding to the scene, and any people affected by the fireplace that started because of the crash,” Garapati wrote on Fb.
Fort Hood has not but launched the identities of the crew or extra particulars concerning the circumstances main as much as the crash.
It is a creating story. Verify again for updates.
