National Guard helicopter crashes near border, killing three

Ryan Chandler
·1 min read
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(Nexstar) — A National Guard helicopter crashed near Rio Grande City on Friday afternoon, leaving three people dead, according to multiple reports.

The helicopter went down in La Grulla, a small town in east Starr County on the Rio Grande, Lt. Chris Olivarez with the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed.

DPS South Texas Regional Director Victor Escalon told Nexstar on Friday, “At least four people may be critically injured,” but could not independently confirm further information and directed inquiries to Customs and Border Protection. A report by the Associated Press later Friday said three people died in the crash and another person was injured, according to Starr County Judge Eloy Vera.

The Department of Defense Joint Task Force North confirmed two of the deceased were soldiers and the other was a U.S. Border Patrol member. The fourth person injured was a soldier. The DoD said the crash is under investigation.

Escalon said the helicopter was not part of Operation Lone Star, Texas’ unilateral border enforcement arm utilizing the National Guard, but “a military helicopter on federal orders working with Border Patrol.”

DPS is assisting federal agencies with the response, according to KVEO.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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