Multiple Casualties After Two Black Hawk Helicopters Crash In Kentucky

Two Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed Wednesday night in Kentucky during a training exercise, resulting in several casualties.

Few details have been released about the crash, which occurred at around 10:00 p.m. local time between two helicopters that are part of the 101st Airborne Division. The crash took place in Trigg County, near Fort Campbell. 

“The crewmembers were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission when the incident occurred. The status of the crew members are unknown at this time,” the 101st Airborne Division announced in a statement. “The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families.”

The division confirmed that there were several “casualties,” but did not explain more. 

According to Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), multiple fatalities are expected. “We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected. @kystatepolice, @KentuckyEM and local officials are responding. We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected,” he said on Twitter.

According to a report from local radio outlet WKZD Radio, a soldier on the scene confirmed two deaths to the Trigg County Coroner’s office.

Early Thursday morning, Beshear said that he would be going to Fort Campbell in response to the crash. “This morning I will be traveling to Fort Campbell to support our troops and their families after last night’s tragic incident. More information will be released later this morning,” he said. 

According to Kentucky State Police, the crash took place in the woods. Fort Campbell will have a press conference Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. to provide further details about the incident.

Kentucky local Nick Tomaszewski told WSMV that he heard the crash happen after he saw the helicopters fly by. “So it’s nothing out of the norm to see helicopters, we see them all the time, but tonight there were two that were coming kind of straight up over our house, headed straight northbound,” he said. “I told my wife, ‘wow, those look really close tonight’ for whatever reason … about a minute later, they were coming across and there was a large explosion in the sky almost look like a firework went off. And then the entire tree line lit up.”

Indigenous Elder Gets Kicked From Obama Event In Australia

Controversy shook Barack Obama‘s lucrative speaking tour in Australia when an Aboriginal woman got dropped from a ceremony in Melbourne featuring the former president.

A Wurundjeri elder known as Aunty Joy Murphy said she is “shocked and distressed” after the organizer of the event removed her from the program Wednesday night at John Cain Arena.

“I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past,” she said, according to the National Indigenous Times.

“I do not want this to be a reflection on President Obama,” she added. “I am a leader of the Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal.”

The report said Murphy had requested accommodations for a support person and to give Obama a gift in accordance with the cultural practice.

For years, Murphy has been performing the traditional “Welcome to Wurundjeri Land” for visiting leaders. Among those people she has reportedly greeted include the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Dalai Lama, and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

Videos posted to social media show Murphy at sporting events and elsewhere conducting the “Welcome To Country” in which she accepts a leaf of the Manna Gum plant, also known as Eucalyptus viminalis, on behalf of the visitors.

Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy conducts the Welcome To Country, wishing both the @Socceroos & Ecuador the best of luck tonight. @FEFecuador
Watch Australia Vs Ecuador, Live and Free on 10 Bold & 10 Play!! #AUSvECU #Socceroos pic.twitter.com/WPuPoyADto

— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) March 28, 2023

In the case of Obama’s event, representatives for Murphy claimed the elder was told she was being “too difficult” before being removed from the ceremony, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The organizer of Obama’s speaking tour, Growth Factory, claimed to have apologized to Murphy for cancelling her appearance.

“Growth Faculty had been working with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community for many weeks ahead of last night’s event,” a spokesperson said in a statement reported by The Guardian.

“Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony,” the statement added. “Growth Faculty has apologised to Aunty Joy that last night’s ceremony could not be changed.”

Wurundjeri-Willam woman Mandy Nicholson reportedly delivered the Welcome to Country in place of Murphy.

During Obama’s speaking tour through Australia, which reportedly could net him upwards of $1 million, the former president has been talking about a variety of topics including politics, foreign policy, and technology.

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