4 soldiers killed in US helicopter crash

TACOMA: Four soldiers were killed when two helicopters crashed on a training exercise, reports quoting a military spokesman said.

Lt Col Gary Dangerfield of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma, told the Seattle Times the circumstances of Monday night's crash remained unclear.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased," he said, promising a "thorough investigation".

Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a joint US army and air force facility.

Lt Col Dangerfield said two OH-58 Kiowa choppers had crashed in the aviation training area south-west of the base at around 20:00 local time (04:00 Tues GMT) in clear skies.

"We will conduct a thorough investigation," he said. "We will do everything in our power to support the families of the brave soldiers who died this evening."