The U.S. military announced that two National Guard soldiers and a Border Patrol agent were killed when a helicopter crashed over the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
Another soldier on board was also injured.
The UH-72 Lakota helicopter was assigned to a federal border patrol mission when it crashed near Rio Grande City on Friday, according to the Northern Joint Task Force. The cause was under investigation.
The crash occurred in the mid-afternoon while the helicopter was conducting air operations, according to a statement from the task force.
Starr County Judge and Chief Executive Eloy Vera said there were one woman and three men on board.He said the injured were in serious condition.
The names of those killed were not immediately released.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Border Patrol did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The Starr County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook Friday that it is assisting with a “helicopter crash” on the east side of the county.
Vela said the scene has been secured by the sheriff’s office and federal agents are on their way.
The border area is heavily patrolled by state and federal authorities, including regular aerial surveillance.
In January, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter patrolling the border with Mexico lost power and crashed, officials said at the time. The co-pilot suffered minor injuries to his hand, and the helicopter was severely damaged.
The helicopter was flying as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s nearly $10 billion border mission that tests the federal government’s authority over migrants.
