Three US National Guard members killed in helicopter crash in New York

Three National Guard members on a training flight were killed Wednesday when their helicopter crashed in a farmer’s field in western New York.

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The craft, a UH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter, crashed around 6:30 p.m. in Mendon, New York, a rural town south of Rochester, officials said.

The circumstances were under investigation.

Photos of the crash scene posted by local news media showed the aircraft wreckage burning on a snow-covered field.

3 National Guard soldiers killed in helicopter crash in New York state
Three New York National Guard soldiers were killed Wednesday night when their helicopter crashed in a routine training mission in upstate New York, according to the New York State Division of Military and… pic.twitter.com/1j4Qt97eKQ

— Shahid Khan (@Shahid11828) January 21, 2021

The helicopter flew out of the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport, and was assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion, according to Eric Durr, public affairs director of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said flags on state buildings would be lowered to half-staff on Thursday to pay tribute to the troops.

“National Guard members are our citizen soldiers who voluntarily serve and protect both here and abroad, and I extend prayers and condolences from all New Yorkers to the family, loved ones and fellow soldiers of these honorable heroes,” he said in a statement.

Tonight we are devastated by the crash of a New York Army National Guard helicopter in the town of Mendon that killed three of New York’s bravest during a training mission.

I’m directing that flags on all State buildings be lowered to half-staff tomorrow.

Full statement: pic.twitter.com/ztSnTwD4V1

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 21, 2021

Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said at a news conference that witnesses who called 911 reported hearing the sounds of an engine sputtering and said the aircraft was flying very low.

There were no survivors of the crash, he said.

Baxter called the three guard members who perished “great Americans.”

“Keep them in your minds and your prayers,” he said.

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Last Update: Thursday, 21 January 2021 KSA 06:38 – GMT 03:38