Army Helicopter Crash Near Fort Hood Kills 2

An Army Apache attack helicopter crashed in a central Texas field on Wednesday, killing both people on board and sparking a wildfire that forced several homes to be evacuated, sheriff's officials said. The announcement was made by nearby Fort Hood that the AH-64 Apache helicopter had crashed. Cliff Coleman, spokesman for the Bell County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that both occupants died, the AP reports. No cause of the crash was immediately announced.

The helicopter, which Stars and Stripes reports was based at Fort Hood, did not hit any homes or other structures when it crashed, Coleman said, adding, "You could tell it was a violent crash." Fort Hood's criminal investigation division was leading the probe, Coleman said. "Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts," said Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven, acting commanding general.