US helicopter crashes in Alaska, 3 dead

Two US Apache helicopters collided and crashed while returning from a training flight in Alaska, killing three pilots, officials said. The lone survivor was taken to hospital.

The incident came Thursday when two AH-64 Apache helicopters collided and crashed east of Healy, a small Denali Borough community about 290 miles northeast of Anchorage.

“The helicopter collided mid-flight while returning from a training mission,” a military spokesman said. Each helicopter had two crew members, a total of four people on board.

Two soldiers were confirmed dead at the scene, and a third died while being transported to a hospital, the US military said. A fourth soldier was rescued and taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The cause of Thursday’s accident was not immediately clear.

Both helicopters were from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Air Regiment at Fort Wainwright. Unit member loved ones should call the Emergency Family Assistance Center at 907-353-4452 for more information.

“This is an unbelievable loss to the soldiers’ families, fellow soldiers, and the division,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, 11th Airborne Division commander. “Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and we are making all of the Army’s resources available to assist them.”

The identities of those killed will be made public approximately 24 hours after the next-of-kin notification is completed.

The US military has had a spate of helicopter crashes in recent months.

Two US Army Black Hawk helicopters Crashed during a training mission in Kentucky All nine passengers and crew died in March.And in February, a Black Hawk helicopter belonging to the Tennessee National Guard Crashed on a busy highway near Huntsville, Alabamatwo crew members died.