9 soldiers killed in 2 Army Blackhawk helicopters crash in Kentucky

Nine soldiers were killed after two U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters crashed during a training incident in Kentucky Wednesday night, officials said Thursday morning.

The crash unfolded at around 10 p.m. local time (11 p.m. ET) during training in Trigg County, to the west of the Army base Fort Campbell, the base said in a statement early Thursday.

All nine were based at Fort Campbell in the 101st Airborne Division, Their identities were not disclosed, pending next of kin notification.

“We can confirm two aircraft from the 101st were involved in an accident last night resulting in serval casualties,” the 101st Airborne Division, the only air assault division of the U.S. Army, said in a tweet early Thursday morning. “Right now our focus is on the Soldiers and their families who were involved.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had said earlier that fatalities were expected.

“We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected,” Beshear tweeted. He said state police and local officials are responding.

“Please pray for all those affected,” Beshear said in the message.

Kentucky State Police were on the scene of the helicopter crash, along with military investigators and several other agencies, the department said in a news release early Thursday morning. 

Speaking with journalists after the crash, state police said the incident unfolded in a partially wooded field area. They said a perimeter had been set up around the debris field.

Nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles,” the 101st Airborne Division was activated on Aug. 16, 1942 and is based near Kentucky’s border with Tennessee.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.