Tragedy struck on a Maryland golf course when a U.S. Military Black Hawk helicopter unexpectedly crashed landed on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at Breton Bay Golf and Country Club in Leonardtown during a routine training flight. Now, one crew member is dead, and the other two are injured.
NBC Washington has the latest report:
The UH-60 Blackhawk based at Fort Belvoir, the Army installation in Northern Virginia, crashed about 1:40 p.m. Monday, U.S. Army Military District of Washington officials said in a statement. The crew was conducting a routine training flight.
One of the crew members was pronounced dead, a second person is in critical condition, and a third person is in serious condition. Their names will be released once their families are notified, the Army said.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss within our community,” Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker said in a statement. “Our condolences go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy, and our team is focused on supporting them during this difficult time.”
#BREAKING: One crew member dead, two injured after military helicopter crashed onto Md. golf course https://t.co/tSS9piJkVi pic.twitter.com/MtwGE3knYh
— NBCWashington (@nbcwashington) April 17, 2017
A woman who lives near the golf course said she saw helicopters flying overhead. Then, one appeared to lose control.
“One of them just started to lower, and it started to spiral down, and it disappeared below the trees. It looked like it had flipped over, upside-down, and then we heard a big explosion sound,” Bianca Melton said.
Kevin Bowen, who works in the golf course’s pro shop, said he saw the helicopter “flying kind of low” and then “saw it spinning” before it went down between the third and fourth holes of course.
The Army is investigating the cause of the crash. Investigators were driving around the course in golf carts Monday evening, placing evidence markers near pieces of debris.
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