Additional Coverage:
Two people lost their lives on August 12 when a U.S. Army helicopter crashed in a field in central Texas, igniting a large grass fire and leading to evacuations, officials reported.
The Bell County Sheriff’s Office received emergency calls around 1:34 p.m. local time about the helicopter crash south of Salado, a community approximately 30 miles southeast of Fort Hood. Deputies who arrived at the scene discovered the wreckage and a rapidly spreading grass fire, described by sheriff’s office spokesperson Cliff Coleman as “out of control.”
Both occupants of the helicopter were pronounced dead by 2:30 p.m., though their identities have not yet been released.
Speaking at a news conference, Coleman said the crash was severe but noted the helicopter did not collide with any homes or structures. “It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash,” he said.
The aircraft was identified by the U.S. Army as an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter stationed at Fort Hood. In an official statement, the Army confirmed that local emergency services, military personnel, and law enforcement were actively responding to the incident.
Brigadier General Ethan Diven, acting commanding general at Fort Hood, emphasized that securing the crash site and supporting response efforts remain the immediate priorities. “Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information,” he said.
As a precaution, authorities closed parts of a nearby road and evacuated some residents due to the fire’s threat.
The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Hood is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.