According to the US military, a helicopter crash on the Texas section of the US-Mexico border has resulted in the death of two national guard soldiers and one border patrol agent.
One of the soldiers aboard the ship suffered an injury.
The UH-72 Lakota helicopter was on duty for the border security mission for the federal government when it crashed near Rio Grande City on Friday, according to the joint taskforce north. The investigation for the cause is ongoing.
The helicopter was involved in aviation operations when the crash occurred during mid-afternoon, according to the taskforce’s statement.
Starr County judge Eloy Vera, the county’s top official, said those onboard included one woman and three men. He said the person who was injured was in critical condition
The identities of the deceased were not immediately made public.
A representative from the US Border Patrol did not promptly respond to inquiries for a statement.
On Friday, the Starr County sheriff’s office took to Facebook to announce their involvement in a “downed helicopter incident” on the eastern side of the county.
Vera stated that the sheriff’s office had made sure the area was safe and that federal authorities were en route.
The area near the border is closely monitored by state and national officials, and also involves regular use of aerial surveillance.
In January, it was reported that a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety that was monitoring the state’s border with Mexico experienced a loss of power and subsequently crashed. At the time, it was noted that the co-pilot sustained a minor hand injury and the helicopter sustained significant damage.
That helicopter was flying as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas governor Greg Abbott’s nearly $10bn border mission that has tested the federal government’s authority over immigration.
Source: theguardian.com
