Photo: Richard Williams Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Three people are dead and another injured after a National Guard helicopter crashed in South Texas near the Mexico border.
The Department of Defense Joint Task Force North reported a UH-72 Lakota helicopter assigned to the federal Southwest border support mission crashed while conducting aviation operations near Rio Grande City, Texas. Two soldiers and one U.S. Border Patrol agent were killed. One soldier was injured.
The names of the deceased will not be released until the next of kin have been notified.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said, "Heidi and I are fervently praying for the victims and their families. The brave men and women of the National Guard and USBP risk their lives each and every day — we are a better state and nation thanks to their selfless service to Texas and America."
The cause of the accident is under investigation.