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Apache crash near Salado
Two U.S. Army soldiers died after an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field south of the village of Salado in central Texas on Wednesday, sparking a large grass fire, officials said.
“getting out of control very quickly”
Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cliff Coleman said officers arrived to find the wreckage and a large fire that was "getting out of control very quickly," and he said the crash did not hit any structures or people on the ground.
The U.S. Army said the helicopter was based at Fort Hood, and Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said, "Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts," as an investigation was ongoing.
The crash was reported after a 911 call received after 1:30 p.m. local time, and the Bell County Sheriff’s Office said the helicopter crash also prompted evacuations as the wildfire burned about 100 acres and was 45% contained by 5 p.m. local time, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service Incident Viewer.
Reuters said the accident occurred in Bell County about 60 miles north of Austin, and it quoted Texas Governor Greg Abbott on X saying, "Today, an Apache helicopter crashed in Bell County during Fort Hood operations, killing two members of our military," while Fort Hood withheld the soldiers’ identification pending notification.
Response, investigation, condolences
Cliff Coleman told local reporters that the crash sparked a grass fire and that Salado, Jarrell, Eastside and Westside firefighters were responding, with some homes near the blaze evacuated.
Coleman also described the crash as violent, saying, “You could tell it was a violent crash,” while Fort Hood’s Army Criminal Investigation Division led the response and Bell County authorities and the Texas Department of Public Safety assisted.
Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven said in a statement, "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time," as the Army said names would be released 24 hours after next-of-kin notification.
ABC News reported the Bell County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding a helicopter crash after 1:30 p.m. local time, and it said no buildings or structures were damaged, while local law enforcement confirmed the helicopter crash and the deaths.
CNN reported Texas Gov. Greg Abbott offered condolences on X, saying, "Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community. Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation," after the two pilots were confirmed dead.
Fire impact and next steps
The crash’s wildfire impact included road closures and evacuation activity, with the Salado Fire Department saying FM 2843 was “impassable” in the area of the fire and authorities asking drivers to avoid the area.
“FM 2843 was “impassable””
NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth said the crash sparked a large grass fire, that no structures or buildings were damaged, and that several homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution, while it reported the cause had not been confirmed and Fort Hood’s Criminal Investigation Division was leading the investigation.
Texas A&M Forest Service figures cited by CNN and the Austin American-Statesman placed the blaze at about 100 acres and 45% contained by 5 p.m. local time, while the Austin American-Statesman said the fire had not been contained as of 6 p.m.
The U.S. Army said the two soldiers were taken to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, and it said their identities would be released 24 hours after their next of kin has been notified.
As the investigation continued, Reuters reported that Fort Hood confirmed an AH-64 attack helicopter crashed and two soldiers died but withheld their identification pending notification to their families, while the Bell County justice of the peace declared dead the two people on board.
