Three soldiers killed in Army helicopter collision in Alaska

Three soldiers were killed and a fourth was injured Thursday after two Army Apache helicopters collided in midair and crashed near the town of Healy. According to the Army, two soldiers died at the scene of the accident and the third died on the way to the hospital. A fourth soldier was wounded in the incident.

Although the cause of the accident is under investigation, the crash occurred as the two AH-64 Apache helicopters were returning to Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks after a training flight.

“This is an incredible loss for these soldiers’ families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division,” Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said in a statement. “Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and we are making the full resources of the Army available to support them.”

This is the second serious accident involving an Apache helicopter in Alaska this year. In February, two soldiers were injured when a military helicopter rolled over in Talkeetna as the aircraft was taking off.

The accident near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in March, was much more serious. Two Army aircraft were also involved. Nine soldiers were killed when two Black Hawks crashed. According to a preliminary report released earlier this month, the two helicopters collided in midair before going down.