Two people were killed on Aug. 12 when a U.S. Army helicopter crashed in a field in central Texas, sparking a large grass fire and prompting evacuations, authorities said.
Authorities received 911 calls at about 1:34 p.m. local time reporting a helicopter crash in an area south of Salado, a community about 30 miles southeast of Fort Hood, the Bell County Sheriff's Office said. Responding deputies found the wreckage of a helicopter and a grass fire that was "out of control," according to Cliff Coleman, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
The two people aboard the helicopter were pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. local time, Coleman said. Authorities did not immediately release their identities.
with 2 on board
"It crashed into a field, and you could tell it was a violent crash," Coleman said during a news conference, adding that the helicopter did not strike any homes or other structures.
The U.S. Army identified the aircraft as an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter based at Fort Hood. In a news release, the Army said local emergency responders, military personnel and law enforcement agencies were responding to the scene.
"Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts," Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general, said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information."
Authorities closed portions of a nearby road as a precaution because of the fire, and some residents in the area were evacuated, according to Coleman.
The Army's Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Hood is leading the investigation into the incident, Coleman said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Two killed after Army Apache helicopter from Fort Hood crashes in Texas
