Three National Guard Members Killed In Helicopter Crash In New York

Three US National Guard members on a training flight were killed when their helicopter crashed in western New York.

The UH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter crashed in a farmer's field in Mendon, a rural town south of Rochester, at 18:30 local time (23:30 GMT) on Wednesday.

The circumstances were under investigation and the Federal Aviation Administration said it would take part.

Photos of the crash scene circulating around local news outlets showed the aircraft wreckage burning on a snow-covered field.

The helicopter flew out of the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport and was assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st General Support Aviation Battalion.

Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter said at a news conference that witnesses to the accident reported hearing the sounds of an engine sputtering and said the aircraft was flying low.

He said there were no survivors.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo said flags on state buildings will be flown at half-mast on Thursday in tribute to those lost in the crash. 

He said in a statement: "National Guard members are our citizen-soldiers who voluntarily serve and protect both here and abroad, and I extend prayers and condolences from all New Yorkers to the family, loved ones and fellow soldiers of these honourable heroes."