A National Guard helicopter crashed near the Texas-Mexico border on Friday afternoon, leading to at least two fatalities, as confirmed by multiple law enforcement sources to Nexstar.
The helicopter went down in La Grulla, a small town in east Starr County on the Rio Grande River, as validated by Lt. Chris Olivarez with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to Victor Escalon, the DPS South Texas Regional Director, at least four individuals may be critically injured. Escalon directed further inquiries to Customs and Border Protection as he could not independently confirm additional information.
Escalon stated that the helicopter was not part of Operation Lone Star, Texas’ border enforcement arm using the National Guard, but was instead “a military helicopter on federal orders working with Border Patrol.”
DPS is aiding federal agencies with the response, as reported by KVEO. This is an ongoing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
A National Guard helicopter crashed near the Texas-Mexico border on Friday afternoon, resulting in at least two fatalities, confirmed by multiple law enforcement sources to Nexstar.
