SALADO, Texas (Diya TV) — Two U.S. Army soldiers were killed Wednesday when an AH-64E Apache helicopter based at Fort Hood crashed near Salado in Central Texas, Army officials said.
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the crash around 1:34 p.m. near Kuykendall Road, south of Salado. The helicopter went down in a field and did not strike any homes or other structures.
Both soldiers aboard the helicopter died in the crash. The Army has not released their names and said their identities will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin are notified. Their remains were taken to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood.
The crash sparked a grass fire that spread across about 155 acres, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. By Wednesday evening, officials reported the fire was about 95% contained.
Several local fire departments responded along with military personnel and law enforcement. Authorities temporarily closed roads near the crash site while crews worked to contain the fire and secure the area.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said the Army’s initial priority was securing the crash site and supporting the response. He later expressed condolences to the soldiers’ families, friends and fellow service members.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also acknowledged the deaths Wednesday, saying the helicopter crashed in Bell County during Fort Hood operations.
The Army has not announced what caused the helicopter to crash. Authorities have not reported any additional injuries.
The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is involved in the investigation, according to local authorities. Investigators will work to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The aircraft was assigned to Fort Hood, which is located near Killeen, about 30 miles from the crash site. The Army identified it as an AH-64E Apache, a two-seat attack helicopter.
Fort Hood officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available and in accordance with notification requirements for the soldiers’ families.
