Two people have been killed after a Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter crashed in a fireball on an Alabama highway while on a training mission.
The UH-60 Black Hawk military helicopter ‘exploded’ into a huge fireball on Highway 53 near Harvest at 3.30pm ET Wednesday.
U.S. military officials confirmed to AP that the two people on board were killed after the aircraft slammed to the ground in the median of Highway 53, near Burwell Road, in the town of Harvest about a half hour north-west of Huntsville.
Footage from the scene showed thick, black smoke billowing from the crash site. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Huntsville Emergency Medical Services said there were no survivors. Its unclear where the chopper in question was stationed and who was on board.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the helicopter ‘exploded on impact and was burning’ when firefighters arrived, adding ‘It’s a pile of rubble.’
U.S. Rep. Dale Strong said in a tweet: ‘I’m deeply saddened by the fatal helicopter crash that happened in Madison County today.’
‘My heart hurts for those who lost their lives in this tragic incident and for their families as they learn of this news.’
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