Helicopters collide at Colombian military base, killing general and 5 others

Helicopters collide at Colombia base, killing 6

BOGOTA — A Colombian general and five other members of its military have died in a helicopter collision at a base in the nation’s southwest.

A statement posted on the army’s website says five people were also injured when a military and a civilian helicopter crashed into one another in the province of Tolima. Local media reported that one chopper was taking off at the military base and the other was landing.

The army statement said Gen. Fernando Joya, commander of joint task force in southern Tolima, died in the crash Tuesday, along two colonels and three other servicemen.

President Alvaro Uribe asked for a minute of silence during a university meeting he was attending in Cali.