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.
DODGE COUNTY, NE — Authorities have identified the three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash on the Platte River late Friday evening.
In a statement released Saturday afternoon, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) confirmed the victims as 43-year-old Daniel Williams of Moundridge, Kansas; 50-year-old Jeff Bittinger of Fremont, Nebraska; and 48-year-old Randy Amrein, also of Fremont.
The fatal crash occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Friday, when a small aircraft went down in the Platte River, just south of Fremont.
Multiple emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Sgt. Brie Frank with the DCSO stated that several agencies, including air and water rescue units, were involved in the coordinated response effort.
Airboats were deployed to navigate the river, and an Omaha Police Department helicopter provided aerial support to survey the crash site.
Assisting agencies included the Waterloo and Valley Fire Departments, the Nebraska State Patrol, and additional regional emergency services.
The investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have assumed control of the investigation and will conduct a thorough analysis to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.
No further details have been released at this time.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the area while recovery and investigative efforts continue.