Two soldiers who were on board a military helicopter were killed Wednesday when it crashed in Salado, Texas, the Bell County Sheriff’s Office said.
They were pronounced dead after officials responded to 911 calls around 1:30 p.m., said Cliff Coleman of the Bell County Sheriff’s Office. Salado is about 50 miles north of Austin.
The Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is based at Fort Hood, the military installation said.
The soldiers were transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, and their names are being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, 1st Cavalry Division acting commanding general, said in a statement.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asked for prayers for the soldiers’ families and the Fort Hood community. “Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation,” he wrote in an X post.
No structures were damaged, and no other injuries were reported, Coleman said.
“It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash,” Coleman told reporters on scene.
The crash caused a large fire that “looks to be out of control,” he said. It has led to a large area of land being burned and has prompted some evacuations in the area.
Local emergency responders, military personnel and law enforcement all responded to the incident. The criminal investigation division of Fort Hood is leading the inquiry.
The AH-64 Apache helicopter is a twin-engine, four-bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform, the Army said on its website, calling it “the most advanced aerial fighting vehicle in the world.”
