Two U.S. military reserve officers are dead after a Tennessee National Guard helicopter crashed outside Huntsville, Alabama, on Wednesday.
The UH-60 helicopter, more widely known as a Black Hawk, crashed in the unincorporated community of Harvest, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a statement.
The crash took place just after 3 p.m. local time along Highway 53, just south of the Alabama-Tennessee state line.
U.S. military officials said two people were on board at the time of the crash and confirmed the helicopter belonged to the Tennessee National Guard.
Local fire crews found the helicopter on fire, Don Webster, community relations director for Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Both crew members on board, Webster said, were found dead.
“It was destroyed beyond recognition,” Webster said. “Our heart goes out to them, for all they do for this country.”
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The highway along which the crash happened passes through commercial areas bounded by subdivisions, forests and fields.
Harvest is northwest of Huntsville, home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal. The once rural area has become increasingly suburban and is about 90 miles south of Nashville.
What we know so far:
- Officials have not yet released the victim’s names.
- The helicopter was on a training mission, according to military officials.
- No one else was injured in the crash.
- The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration referred questions to the military.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy,” said Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s adjutant general. “We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief.”
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Governors express condolences
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said the Tennessee National Guard will support law enforcement at the scene.
“Maria and I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss… Please join us in lifting their families up in prayer and support during this time of unspeakable grief.”
“Governor Lee, Alabamians will continue to uplift in prayer the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said in a tweet replying to Lee. “The Guardsmen who lost their lives today will be remembered as heroes. The people of Alabama stand with our neighbors in Tennessee.”
Contributing: The Associated Press and Melissa Brown with the Tennessean.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
Story Credit: usatoday.com