Two soldiers are dead following a crash involving an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter in Salado, Texas. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, approximately 50 miles north of Austin. Local emergency responders were called to the scene around 1:30 p.m. after the aircraft went down in a field.
The crash sparked a large fire that spread across 155 acres of land. As of Wednesday evening, local officials reported the blaze was 85 percent contained. The Bell County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the fatalities, though they have withheld the names of the victims pending notification of their families.
Fort Hood, where the helicopter was based, is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident. Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, the acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, issued a statement expressing sympathy to the families and fellow soldiers of the deceased. No other injuries were reported on the ground, and no civilian structures were damaged in the crash.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement regarding the incident, acknowledging the service and sacrifice of those involved. The site of the crash remains an active scene as investigators work to determine what caused the helicopter to go down. Authorities continue to monitor the area to ensure the remaining fire is extinguished.