ADVERTISEMENT 2
ADVERTISEMENT 3
Error: No articles to display
ADVERTISEMENT 1
ADVERTISEMENT 4
FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) —
Four people were killed when a helicopter crashed during a training exercise at Fort Hood in Texas, U.S. Army officials said.
The Black Hawk went down about 6 p.m. Monday in the northeast portion of the sprawling military post about 60 miles north of Austin.
Emergency crews conducted an extensive search of the area before finding the wreckage and the crew members dead at the scene, according to a Fort Hood statement.
Post officials did not release the names of the victims, saying Tuesday that their identities would be made public 24 hours after the families have been notified. Officials said the crew was assigned to Division West, First Army, and was on a routine training mission when the helicopter crashed.
The cause of the crash was unknown and Fort Hood officials said a panel would be assigned to investigate.
No further details were available.
Fort Hood covers 214,000 acres, making it one of the largest Army posts in the country. More than 135,000 acres are reserved for training purposes.
AUSTIN –
Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement following the death of four U.S. Army soldiers who were killed in a helicopter crash during a training mission at Fort Hood on Monday evening:
“Cecilia and I extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the four soldiers who tragically lost their lives in preparation for defending our country. Whether at home or abroad, our soldiers put their lives on the line every day to secure the freedoms we hold dear in Texas and the United States of America. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and with the military community at Fort Hood during this difficult time.”
AUSTIN -
Governor Greg Abbott today declared a state of disaster in Bastrop, Brazoria, Caldwell, Comal, Galveston, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy, and Wilson Counties in the State of Texas. This declaration comes after preliminary damage assessments were finalized and federal declaration criteria was met. Governor Abbott is also requesting that the President declare a major disaster for individual assistance. If the request is granted by the President, affected citizens in these counties may be eligible for Individual Assistance grants of up to $33,000 from the federal government, and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“The flooding that occurred this past October throughout the state forever changed many Texans’ lives,” said Governor Abbott. “Declaring a disaster in the Lone Star State may allow affected citizens across the state to gain access to the resources they need in order to start rebuilding their lives. I have no doubt that the victims of this flooding will build an even stronger future for themselves, their families and the State of Texas.”