Two Dead From Helicopter Crash onto Barge on Mississippi River After Striking Power Line: 'Tragic Incident'

NEED TO KNOW

• A Hughes 369D helicopter crashed on a barge in the Mississippi River near East Alton, Illinois, on Thursday, Aug. 7

• East Alton is roughly 20 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri

• Two people died as a result of the crash

Two people are dead after a Hughes 369D helicopter crashed on a barge in the Mississippi River near East Alton, Ill.

According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, the crash occurred around 11:05 a.m. local time on Thursday, Aug. 7, with two people on board. East Alton is roughly 20 miles north of St. Louis, Mo.

During a press conference, Cpl. Dallas Thompson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that two people were deceased. Their identities were not released, and there were no other reports of injuries.

According to Thompson, Saint Charles County officials contacted the state highway patrol earlier that morning regarding a helicopter that had crashed over the Mississippi River.

"The report said that the helicopter had crashed into some power lines crossing over the river and then fell down into a barge that was underneath," he said.

Thompson said that when officials arrived, "the helicopter was on top of the barge," along with a fire, which was put out "very quickly."

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE that the helicopter collided with power lines and subsequently crashed into a barge in the Mississippi River and experienced a post-crash fire.

Officials do not believe there was anyone on the barge when the incident occurred, but they are "still working to confirm that information," said Thompson.

As a result of the incident, one of the power lines fell into the water, prompting an evacuation of the immediate area as a precautionary measure, said Thompson. Officials later learned that it was not a live power line.

Utility company Ameren confirmed to PEOPLE that a contractor and its subcontractor were repairing and replacing tower lighting and marker balls on transmission lines in Madison County, Ill., when the incident occurred.

"We are saddened about today’s tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims’ families and colleagues. We will cooperate with the investigation," said a company spokesperson in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

There were no power outages in response to the incident.

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An NTSB investigator is en route and expected to arrive on site Friday, Aug. 8, to begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation. 

Read the original article on People