Military: At least 4 injured when Navy helicopter crashes in training in remote area of W.Va.

Military copter crashes in W.Va.; at least 4 hurt

RONCEVERTE, W.Va. — A Navy helicopter crashed Thursday during a training exercise in a remote, mountainous area of West Virginia, injuring at least four of the 17 aboard, the military said.

West Virginia National Guard Lt. Col. Mike Cadle said the mountainous terrain made it difficult for rescue teams to reach the crash site, but military crews circling overhead had been in touch with the aircraft. Trees at the crash site were too thick to land a helicopter, he said.

At least four were injured, West Virginia Air National Guard Lt. Col. Harrison Gilliam said earlier in the day. Cadle said he couldn’t confirm or elaborate on any injuries.

The helicopter took off from Fort Pickett in Virginia as part of a medical aircraft training exercise involving the Navy, Army and Air Guard and Canadian Army. The helicopter was headed for Camp Dawson near Kingwood, W.Va.

The crash site is in Pocahontas County, about 100 miles south of Kingwood.

(This version CORRECTS RECASTS overlines; UPDATES with further details, deletes dated material. corrects location of crash site)