3 Minnesota National Guard soldiers die in helicopter crash

Three Minnesota National Guard soldiers were killed when the Black Hawk helicopter they were in crashed Thursday afternoon, Gov. Tim Walz said.

The identities of the soldiers were not released, pending notification of family.

The crash was being investigated, and preliminary information on the crash was not released.

The Black Hawk sent a mayday signal at 2:15 p.m., Stearns County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Dan Miller told reporters.

Crews from multiple departments spent several hours searching before finding the crash, Miller said.

The helicopter was located by police near Kimball, Minnesota, according to a tweet.

The helicopter lost radio contact with air traffic control about 2 p.m. CT, according to St. Cloud Regional Airport officials.

The St. Paul Fire Department’s MART team headed to the area to help after a mayday call was released about nine minutes after the flight began.

Guard Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens said the Guard lost contact with the helicopter shortly after it took off on a maintenance test flight from St. Cloud on Thursday afternoon.

The Guard’s base near St. Cloud Regional Airport has been in operation since 2009, with Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters maintained there.

The St. Cloud Times reported the Minnesota State Patrol was called to bring in a helicopter to help with the search. A State Patrol Cirrus aircraft, equipped with thermal imaging cameras, also helped in the search.

Walz postponed the state’s tree-lighting ceremony that was scheduled Thursday night. Walz served in the Army National Guard before eventually becoming a teacher and coach.