Sources: NBC News, CNN and The New York Times (Shout out to their amazing website)
According to officials:
"The accident happened during training in Trigg County, to the west of the army installation Fort Campbell, at about 10 p.m. local time (11 p.m. ET)."
Officials announced Thursday morning that two U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashes on Wednesday night in Kentucky claimed the lives of nine soldiers.
According to a statement released by the Army post early on Thursday, the collision happened approximately 10 p.m. local time (11 p.m. ET) in Trigg County, west of Fort Campbell.
According to officials, the two HH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation aircraft were participating in a training exercise.
According to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, deputy commander of the 101st Airborne Division, the crash is thought to have occurred while the helicopters were in flight rather than during a medical evacuation rehearsal on Thursday morning at Fort Campbell.
No more casualties or injuries were recorded as a result of the aircraft coming to rest in an open field next to a neighbourhood, he said.
According to Lubas, the names of the deceased won't be made public until all of their families have been informed.
At the press conference, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the families of the slain soldiers and said:
"We're going to do what we always do."
"We're going to embrace these families and be there for them not just today but also in the upcoming days, weeks, months, and years."
According to Lubus, military investigation team from Alabama's Fort Rucker will visit the crash scene and try to determine what caused it.
He said:
“This is a truly tragic loss for our families, our division and Fort Campbell.”
During the press conference, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said that it was a tragic day for Fort Campbell and Kentucky.
Mr. Beshear said:
“We must remember that that freedom relies on those who are willing to serve, some of which pay the ultimate price.”
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