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HARVEST, Ala. — Two people were killed after a Black Hawk helicopter crashed Wednesday afternoon in northern Alabama, authorities said.
Authorities responded to a report of a crashed helicopter near an intersection at about 3:01 p.m. CST in Madison County, AL.com reported.
Update 8:59 p.m. EST Feb. 15: Madison County Coroner Tyler Berryhill confirmed to WHNT-TV that two people were killed.
The Black Hawk helicopter belonged to the Tennessee National Guard and was on a routine training mission, the National Guard Bureau told CBS News. The Associated Press, quoting U.S. military officials, said two members of the Tennessee National Guard on board were killed.
“We have no survivors,” Brent Patterson, a spokesperson for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office told reporters. “We have a crime scene here. We have it taped off.”
Maria & I are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two Tennessee National Guard members. Please join us in lifting their families up in prayer & support during this time of unspeakable grief.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) February 16, 2023
“I’m deeply saddened by the fatal helicopter crash that happened in Madison County today,” tweeted U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, who represents Alabama’s 5th District. “My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news.”
I am in communication with local and state officials to learn the details of this crash. Right now we know it was a Black Hawk that crashed in north Madison County. There are no survivors.
— Dale W. Strong (@RepDaleStrong) February 15, 2023
Original report: Don Webster, with Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc., confirmed to WHNT-TV that there were no survivors.
Webster said the helicopter burst into flames upon impact, WAFF-TV reported. It was unclear how many people were on board the aircraft, according to the television station.
No vehicles or pedestrians were injured as a result of the crash, Webster told reporters.
Federal Aviation Agency officials confirmed that a military helicopter was involved in the crash, WBRC-TV reported.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency identified the helicopter as a UH-60, which is a Black Hawk aircraft, according to WHNT.
A short video of the helicopter crash in Harvest (north of Huntsville) from Savanna Terry pic.twitter.com/v1T5vk4gq5
— James Spann (@spann) February 15, 2023
Officials from Team Redstone, is a U.S. Army post adjacent to Huntsville, said in a Facebook post that they do not believe that the helicopter originated from their base.
No other information was released.
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