Local News
Two Killed in Private Helicopter Crash Near Uvalde/Kinney County Line
Uvalde, TX – Two people lost their lives after a private helicopter crashed near the Uvalde/Kinney County line on Thursday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Robinson R44 – a four-seat helicopter – went down at approximately 1:20 p.m.
First responders, including sheriff’s deputies from Kinney and Uvalde counties, Department of Public Safety personnel, fire, and EMS crews, arrived at the crash site around 2:45 p.m.
The helicopter crashed on private property along Highway 90, approximately 12 miles west of Uvalde, Kinney County Sheriff Brad Coe reported.
Authorities confirmed that the pilot, a resident of Uvalde, and the passenger, who was from Florida, were the only individuals on board.
Their identities have not yet been publicly released.
The aircraft was owned by Holt Helicopters, a company based about 20 minutes west of the crash site.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
A preliminary report could be available as soon as Friday.
The owners of Harris Ranch Uvalde, where the helicopter reportedly crashed, have confirmed that no individuals affiliated with Hometown Heroes Outdoors – a nonprofit that provides hunting excursions for first responders and veterans – were on board at the time of the accident.
More details will be provided as the investigation progresses.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a fatal crash Monday morning that also left a child injured in Jefferson County.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as 32-year-old Erica Nicole Austin, a resident of Birmingham.
The collision occurred early Monday morning and involved a passenger vehicle and a dump truck, said Center Point Fire District Chief Brandon Dahlen.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported.
Upon arrival, first responders found Austin critically injured. Despite efforts to assist, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:46 a.m.
A child who was traveling with Austin sustained injuries in the collision and was transported by Center Point Fire and Rescue to Children’s of Alabama for treatment. The child’s condition has not been released.
The driver of the dump truck was not injured, officials confirmed.
The impact of the collision led to a complete closure of the roadway for approximately five hours as authorities worked to investigate the scene and clear the wreckage.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly crash.
No additional details have been released at this time.