A National Guard helicopter crashed near the U.S. southern border in Texas Friday afternoon, causing multiple fatalities.
“Per sources, there are ‘multiple fatalities’ after a federalized National Guard helicopter w/ 3 National Guard soldiers working under federal Title 10 orders and a Border Patrol agent on board crashed in the RGV in La Grulla, TX this afternoon,” said Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin.
“They were not working under the state of TX/Operation Lone Star. This was federal. I’ve reached out to CBP for comment. Developing situation and more as I get it.”
“Per Border Patrol source, cartel members were watching the helicopter on their drone when it crashed, then they zoomed into the crash site and laughed about it. Posted on cartel social media. The La Grulla area sees frequent cartel activity via drug & human smuggling,” Melugin added.
BREAKING: Per Border Patrol source, cartel members were watching the helicopter on their drone when it crashed, then they zoomed into the crash site and laughed about it. Posted on cartel social media. The La Grulla area sees frequent cartel activity via drug & human smuggling. pic.twitter.com/WC9IhFolat
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 9, 2024
According to Fox News, the crash killed at least three on board.
Per Fox News:
The helicopter went down in La Grulla, a border town that sits near the Rio Grande in Starr County.
ADVERTISEMENTStarr County Judge Eloy Vera, the county’s top local official, said the fourth person was in critical condition.
Law enforcement sources told Fox News that the three National Guard soldiers were working on federal orders on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security.
The helicopter was a New York National Guard “Lakota.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Starr County Sheriff’s Office, the National Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“A UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to the federal Southwest border support mission crashed at approximately 2:50 p.m. MST today while conducting aviation operations near Rio Grande City, Texas. Two Soldiers and one U.S. Border Patrol agent were killed. One Soldier was injured,” a press release from Joint Task Force North read.
U.S. military confirms 3 dead and 1 injured in Texas helicopter crash pic.twitter.com/1C9pHAO6Du
— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) March 9, 2024
Helicopter with National Guardsmen aboard crashed along U.S.-Mexico border, killing 3: authorities | Just The News https://t.co/Tim3dVgZjZ
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) March 9, 2024
UPDATE: At least 3 killed, including National Guard pilots and a Border Patrol agent, in Texas helicopter crash. 1 survivor in critical condition – NN/KXAN https://t.co/LKXdOFf5ii
— BNO News (@BNONews) March 8, 2024
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