3 Soldiers Dead, 1 Injured After Army Helicopters Collide In Mid-Air

Three American soldiers were killed and another was injured after Army Apache helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed while returning to Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Thursday (April 27), the 11th Airborne Division announced via NBC News.

The two AH-64 Apache helicopters, which were from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment based at Fort Wainwright, had concluded a training flight when the accident took place, according to the military. The soldiers weren't publicly identified at the time of the report as their next of kin hadn't yet been notified.

“This is an incredible loss for these soldiers’ families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, in a statement obtained by NBC News. “Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and we are making the full resources of the Army available to support them.”  

Two soldiers were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third had died while being transported to a hospital, according to the military. The injured solider was sent to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital to receive treatment.

The crash was reported to have taken place near Healy, which is about 80 miles away from Fort Wainwright. The cause of the accident is still being investigated by authorities.

Last month, "Several casualties" were reported in connection to a crash involving two U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters during a training incident at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters were reported to have crashed at approximately 10:00 p.m. "during a routine training mission when the incident occurred," the branch confirmed in the press release.