Three soldiers killed in New York helicopter crash

Three soldiers were killed in a helicopter crash south of Rochester, New York on Wednesday during a training mission, state military officials said.

The soldiers were in a New York Army National Guard UH-60 medevac helicopter when it crashed in the town of Mendon, the state’s military affairs division said.

Their names were not immediately released.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the military helicopter crashed into a field around 6:30 p.m.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was devastated by the news and ordered the flags to be lowered to half staff on Thursday.

“Members of the National Guard are our citizen-soldiers who serve and protect of their own accord at home and abroad, and I extend the prayers and condolences of all New Yorkers to family, loved ones and loved ones. fellow warriors of those honorable heroes whom we will never forget, “Cuomo said in a statement.

The state’s military affairs division said the accident was under investigation.

The helicopter was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion, and the aircraft was based at Rochester International Airport.

Mendon is a town of about 9,200 people about 13 miles south of Rochester.

The helicopter crashed into what has been described as a farmer’s field. Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said there were no homes nearby and as investigators know no homes were affected by debris.