Helicopter crash leaves three dead as US Army choppers collide in mid-air

28 April 2023 , 07:24

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Two Apache helicopters crashed in Alaska (Stock photo) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Three pilots have died after two US Army helicopters crashed in Alaska while returning from a training mission.

Thursday's tragedy is the second accident involving military helicopters in the state this year.

John Pennell, a spokesman for the US Army Alaska, said each helicopter carried two people.

First responders were on the scene at the crash site, near Healy, Alaska, a statement from the US Army Alaska said.

Army spokeswoman Capt. Molly Treece added three of the four people in the helicopter were killed and the only survivor was taken to a hospital.

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The AH-64 Apache helicopters were from Fort Wainwright, based near Fairbanks.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash and an investigation is ongoing.

Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, the 11th Airborne Division commander, said in a statement: "This is an incredible loss for these soldiers' families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division.

Three people have died (stock photo) (AFP via Getty Images)

"Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and we are making the full resources of the Army available to support them."

Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers, said the state agency was not involved in the response.

In February, two soldiers were injured when an Apache helicopter rolled after taking off from Talkeetna.

The aircraft was one of four traveling to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage from Fort Wainwright.

In March, nine soldiers were killed when two US Army Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed during a routine nighttime training exercise about 30 miles (48km) northeast of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Healy is located about 10 miles (16km) north of Denali National Park and Preserve, or about 250 miles (402km) north of Anchorage.

It is a community of about 1,000 people located on the Parks Highway in Alaska's interior region. It is a popular place for people to spend the night while visiting the nearby park, which is home to Denali, the continent's tallest mountain.

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Healy is also famous for being the town closest to the former bus that had been abandoned in the backcountry and was popularized by the book "Into the Wild" and the movie of the same name. The bus was removed and taken to Fairbanks in 2020.

Chiara Fiorillo