16NOV05 Texas ARNG

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National Guard helicopter crashes outside El Paso

Associated Press

A National Guard helicopter crashed Wednesday night on a ranch outside El Paso, injuring all three people aboard, a Fort Bliss spokesman said.

The helicopter crashed about 7 p.m. at a ranch just outside Tornillo, about 40 miles east of El Paso.

Two of those aboard were National Guard crew members and one was a Border Patrol agent, Fort Bliss spokesman Charles Holloway said Thursday.

The Guard members were taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center for observation, while the patrol agent was treated for his injuries and released, Holloway said.

No identities nor other information was available Thursday. The Army was investigating the crash.

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UPDATE...

Three males were reportedly inside the aircraft at the time of the crash. The pilot is said to have sustained the most serious injuries.

He was airlifted to Beaumont Army Medical Center.

The co-pilot, also with the Texas National Guard, and a passenger who is believed to be a Border Patrol agent, were also transported to Beaumont by Life Ambulance.

According to Fort Bliss officials, the Border Patrol agent was treated and released.

The Department of Public Safety dispatch told KFOX that the helicopter left El Paso International Airport, but the airport never received any distress calls from the pilot.

A Border Patrol agent, who asked to remain anonymous, said that chopper was most likely performing flight operations to combat human smuggling.