Two People Killed After Army Apache Helicopter Crashes in Texas, Sparking Wildfire
Two people were killed Wednesday after a US Army attack helicopter crashed in Central Texas, igniting a large wildfire that prompted evacuations and road closures, authorities said.
The AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed at approximately 1:34 p.m. in a field south of Salado, about 30 minutes from Fort Hood, where the aircraft originated.
Emergency personnel responding to the scene determined that both crew members aboard the helicopter had been killed, according to Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cliff Coleman.
No other injuries were reported.
Coleman said the helicopter crashed into an open field and did not strike any people or structures on the ground.
“It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash,” Coleman said during a news conference.
The identities of the two people killed were not immediately released as military officials continued responding to the incident.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general at Fort Hood, said officials were focused on securing the crash site and assisting with the response.
“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” Diven said.
“Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.”
The crash also sparked a large wildfire that quickly spread across the surrounding area.
Local authorities ordered evacuations as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
“This is a large fire that is out of control,” Coleman said.
Salado Fire/Bell County ESD #1 described the blaze as a “major grass fire” and warned residents that FM 2843 was impassable.
“Please avoid this roadway and choose an alternate route,” the department said in a public safety alert. “This will keep traffic clear for responding fire and emergency personnel.”
Officials also urged drivers not to attempt to navigate around emergency vehicles or travel through the affected area.
The Texas A&M Forest Service joined local agencies in responding to the wildfire.
The agency said the fire had grown to approximately 100 acres and was 0% contained at the time of the initial response.
The helicopter involved in the crash was an AH-64 Apache, an attack helicopter used extensively by the US Army.
Fort Hood is leading the investigation into the crash.
Officials had not determined what caused the helicopter to go down as of Wednesday afternoon.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) responded to the deaths by asking Texans to pray for the victims’ families and the Fort Hood community, per the Daily Mail.
“Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community,” Abbott wrote on X.
“Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation.”
Abhiram Garapati, a Republican congressional candidate in Texas, also offered condolences to those affected.
“My prayers are with those aboard, the first responders responding to the scene and any individuals affected by the fire that began as a result of the crash,” Garapati wrote.
Authorities continued battling the wildfire Wednesday while military officials investigated the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
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