Four Service Members Injured in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Four service members were aboard a U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashed near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, on Wednesday at approximately 9 p.m., according to Army officials. Their conditions remain undisclosed.
The helicopter was conducting a routine training mission when it went down. Officials from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Airborne, are investigating the cause of the crash.
The incident ignited a small wildfire, which has expanded to 1 acre by Thursday morning, as reported by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
“This remains an active, ongoing situation,” Army spokesperson Ruth Castro stated. The Army is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies involved in the response efforts.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office confirmed it received reports of a possible helicopter crash in the Summit Lake area, west of Olympia. Deputies located the crash site but could not proceed with rescue efforts due to the fire.
Response units, including the King County Guardian 1 helicopter and special operations rescue teams, are engaged at the scene. State natural resources staff are collaborating with various agencies, including military personnel and local fire services, to extinguish the fire triggered by the crash.