A Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed in Kinney County as ground crews were helping track down a group of migrants who had sought refuge in the brush. According to police officials, there were no major injuries to the two crew members.
At approximately 7:25 p.m. on January 11, a Texas DPS helicopter had an onboard emergency and appeared to crash land in a field in Kinney County. A helicopter crew was reported to be assisting a DPS brush crew in tracking a group of migrants trying to escape fear while hiking through a Texas ranch near the border area.
DPS helicopter crews regularly assist police and Border Patrol agents in pursuing migrants on the ground as they march through the bush.
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The Texas Department of Public Safety issued the following statement Thursday night:
On January 11, 2024, at approximately 7:20 p.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) single-engine police helicopter was conducting a border interdiction patrol flight in support of Operation Lone Star. The flight was conducted at night under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions using night vision goggles, and the crew consisted of a pilot and co-pilot. The location was North FM 1908 just west of FM 131 in Kinney County.During the flight, the crew experienced a complete loss of power, entered a self-rotating descent and touched the ground. The co-pilot received minor injuries to his hand and the helicopter sustained significant damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) were notified, and the Texas Highway Patrol is guarding the scene until they arrive. DPS will not release further details until the NTSB investigation is complete.
The Del Rio area is one of the busiest border patrol areas along the southwest border with Mexico. In his most recent two weeks, officials in the Del Rio area arrested nearly 35,000 immigrants.
randy clark He is a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. Prior to his retirement, he served as Division Chief of Law Enforcement Operations, directing operations for nine Border Patrol stations within the Del Rio, Texas area. Follow him on Twitter @RandyClarkBBTX.
bob price He is an associate editor and senior news contributor on the Breitbart Texas Border Team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team.Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston What is your point? sunday morning talk show.He is also the president of blue wonder cancer care products. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
