Two soldiers and Border Patrol agent killed in US military helicopter crash near southern border
(CNN) — A US military helicopter crashed Friday afternoon near the southern border, killing two soldiers and a US Border Patrol agent, according to a statement from the military.
Posted — UpdatedAnother soldier was injured in the incident.
The soldiers killed in the crash were US National Guardsmen, according to the military, which said the names of the deceased are being withheld pending family notifications.
The UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to the federal Southwest border support mission was conducting aviation operations near Rio Grande City, Texas, the statement said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, the statement said.
The helicopter was following migrants before it crashed in “an open field,” Starr County Judge Eloy Vera told CNN.
A person in critical condition was sent to McAllen Medical Center in McAllen, Texas, Vera said. County officials were waiting on federal authorities to get to town so they can start the investigation, he added.
CNN has reached out to the hospital for additional information.
President Joe Biden said in a statement Saturday that his “deepest condolences” are with the families of the two National Guardsmen and US Border Patrol agent who were killed.
“These brave Americans dedicated their lives to protecting our nation. They signed up knowing the risks and believing in the mission of serving their fellow Americans by keeping our nation safe,” Biden said. “We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, as well as their colleagues in the National Guard and U.S. Border Patrol.”
This story has been updated with additional reporting.
CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this report.
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