President Biden on Friday offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the three people killed in a helicopter crash near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
According to the military, two National Guard soldiers and a Border Patrol agent were killed in the accident. A fourth soldier was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.
“These brave Americans gave their lives to protect our country. They signed on knowing the risks and believing in their mission to serve their fellow Americans by keeping our country safe,” Biden said. “Our gratitude is deep and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.” In a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, as well as to our colleagues in the National Guard and U.S. Border Patrol. We wish the injured Guard members a speedy recovery.”
Mexican cartel members laugh after National Guard helicopter crash kills 3 people
A National Guard helicopter crashes in La Grulla, Texas, on Friday. (Fox News)
“As we investigate the circumstances of this crash, we continue to stand with our military, Border Patrol agents, and their families, whose contributions to our country are critical to our security.”
According to Joint Task Force North, the UH-72 Lakota helicopter was conducting routine operations near Rio Grande City, Texas, at the time of the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Thousands of National Guard members have not received promised enlistment bonuses
Authorities at the scene of a National Guard helicopter crash in La Grulla, Texas. (Fox News)
Chief Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said the boat contained one woman and three men.
Law enforcement officials told Fox News that three National Guard members were working on a federal order on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security.
Multiple deaths reported after National Guard helicopter crashes near Texas’ southern border
President Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, attends a campaign event at Strath Haven Middle School in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The names of those killed have not been released.
National Guard Bureau Chief Gen. Daniel Hokanson expressed his condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the line of duty and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers.
“We mourn these heartbreaking deaths,” Håkansson wrote. “They are an indescribable and tragic loss. All of these people represented selfless service and the best of America.”
The crash site is in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, a hotbed of illegal immigration. Federal and state border authorities regularly patrol the area to deter illegal border crossings.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
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 operation that tests the federal government’s authority over immigration.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
