SALADO, Texas — Two members of the U.S. Army died Wednesday when the military helicopter they were traveling in crashed in a rural area near Salado, in central Texas.
The accident occurred during a flight operation related to
Fort Hood, one of the main U.S. military installations in Texas. A brush fire
broke out after the crash, prompting a response from emergency crews and
firefighters.
Local authorities established a security perimeter around
the crash site to facilitate emergency operations and the initial
investigation. According to available reports, the aircraft did not strike any
homes or cause any civilian casualties.
The helicopter involved was an AH-64 Apache, an attack
aircraft used by the U.S. Army for combat, training, and ground support
missions.
Authorities have not yet publicly released the identities of
the two deceased soldiers. The Army stated that their names will be released
once their families have been notified.
The causes of the accident have not yet been determined. A
military investigation will seek to establish whether the crash was related to
a mechanical failure, in-flight conditions, or other factors.
The incident comes as military authorities continue their
investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident and clarify
what happened during the final moments of the flight.