Kentucky helicopter crash - live: Nine dead after two US Army Blackhawks collide

Nine soldiers were killed during a collision between two United States Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during a training mission over Kentucky on Wednesday night.

Nine soldiers have died after a pair of US Army Blackhawk helicopters collided in the skies over Kentucky. The aircraft were being used for a training mission at the time of the accident.

The soldiers were stationed at Ford Campbell. It is currently unknown how many soldiers were on the aircraft, how many were injured, and if so, to what degree.

A spokesperson for Fort Campbell, where the soldiers were stationed, told The Washington Post that the military would be providing updates on the accident later on Thursday.

The soldiers were part of the 101st Airborne Division, a highly celebrated group founded just before the US joined the European theatre of World War II.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Sarah Burgess said during a press conference that the crash occurred in a “field” and “some wooded areas.” There is no indication that debris caused property damage or injury to individuals on the ground.

Military first responders have set up roadblocks at the site of the crash to secure what is reportedly a large debris field left in the wake of the crash.

‘No survivors’ of Black Hawk nightnvision training crash

16:28 , Graig Graziosi

A US Army official speaking to The Military Times confirmed that there were no survivors found after two Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a training mission.

The US Army said the Black Hawks that crashed were using nightvision during a training exercise when the incident occurred.

Both helicopters were medical evacuation variants, though it is unclear if the exercise was focused on medievac training.

Senator Mitch McConnell offers condolences after helicopter crash in Kentucky

15:45 , Graig Graziosi

Senator Mitch McConnell offered his condolences to the US Army and the families of nine soldiers who were killed after a pair of Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Kentucky.

“I am devastated to learn about the Army helicopter accident over Kentucky involving our brave 101st Airborne. My team is in contact with the Army and authorities on the ground,” he wrote on Twitter. “Please pray for our servicemembers and their families as we learn more.”

US 101st Airborne Division confirms deaths of soldiers

15:26 , Graig Graziosi

The outfit issued a statement to Twitter on Thursday acknowledging that soldiers had died in a helicopter crash.

“We can confirm two aircraft from the 101st were involved in an accident last night resulting in serveral casualties. Right now the focus is on the Soldiers and their families who were involved,” it said in a statement.

Nine dead after two US Army helicopters crash in Kentucky

15:02 , Graig Graziosi

Nine soldiers were killed during a collision between two United States Army Black Hawk helicopters during a training mission over Kentucky on Wednesday night.

The Washington Post reports that a spokesperson told the outlet about the deaths following earlier reports that fatalities were expected after the crash in Trigg County, in the southwest of the state.

Nondice Thurman, a spokesperson for Fort Campbell army base told the Post in an email that further updates would be given later on Thursday in a news briefing.Read more:

Nine dead after two US Army helicopters crash in Kentucky

Welcome to the live blog

15:01 , Graig Graziosi

Welcome to the liveb blog. Stay with The Independent throughout the day for updates on the fatal US Army helicopter crash in Kentucky.