National Guard helicopter crashes in Texas: 3 killed include 2 soldiers, 1 US border agent

A National Guard helicopter that flew over the U.S.-Mexico border crashed in Texas on Friday has claimed the lives of two National Guard soldiers and a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Another National Guard solider was injured.

Around 2:50 p.m. MST, a UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to the federal Southwest border support mission crashed while conducting an aviation operation near Rio Grande City, 41 miles west of McAllen, the Joint Task Force North said in a press release.

The Starr County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a, “downed helicopter incident.” Police confirmed that there was possibly fourth passengers on board the plane, the press release states.

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera told the Associated Press that the passengers on the chopper included one woman and three men. Vera said the person who was injured was in critical condition.

The Joint Task Force North will not release the names of those who were killed in the crash until all the families are notified.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

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Tributes pour in for the fallen soldiers, border patrol agent

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, head of the National Guard Bureau, sent his condolences on Friday to the family, friends and colleagues of those killed.

“Kelly & I, & the National Guard family, send our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, friends & colleagues of the two Army National Guard Soldiers and the U.S. Border Patrol officer killed in today's helicopter crash in Texas., Hokanson wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We mourn these heartbreaking deaths. They are a tragic loss beyond words. We pray for the speedy recovery of a third Guard Soldier who was seriously injured. All of these people represent selfless service & the best of America.”

A Texas congresswoman asked for prayers in the wake of the deadly crash.

"I am asking for a prayer request and support for Border Patrol and CBP Air and Marine Operations. A tragic helicopter crash just happened near La Grulla, Texas. My thoughts and prayers are with you," Rep. Mayra Flores Vallejo (R-TX) wrote in a post on X.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram and X @forbesfineest.