11 killed in Mexican military helicopter crash
{{date|April 20, 2008}}
[[Image:BMI Bell 212 D-HBZT.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This [[Germany|German]] air ambulance is similar to the military variant that crashed.]]
Eleven people have died after a military helicopter crashed during an anti-narcotics flight in Western [[Mexico]]. The [[w:Bell 212|Bell 212]] went down near [[w:Uruapan|Uruapan]] in [[w:Michoacán|Michoacan]].

Michoacan is a major area in Mexico's anti-narcotics operations, which are conducted by the nation's military. The rotorcraft went down around midday. Police cordoned off the scene and forensic officers have moved in to examine the site. The Defense Department is investigating.

A statement by the military confirmed the crash. "There are 11 men dead, including a colonel, and one soldier was injured," said a state attorney general's office spokesman. The wounded soldier, who was the sole survivor, was flown to a [[w:Mexico City|Mexico City]] military hospital, and remains there in a serious condition.

Although authorities released no crash details, witnesses say the helicopter lost power during attempts to land. "The motor stopped and the helicopter plummeted to the ground," said one local resident named Agustin Vargas. The flight had been headed to a [[w:marijuana|marijuana]] field with the intention of raiding it.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041803496.html|title=11 Die in Army Helicopter Crash|author=|pub=The Washington Post|date=April 18, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7355856.stm|title=Eleven killed in Mexico air crash|author=|pub=BBC News Online|date=April 18, 2008}}
*{{source|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jW8RYsrG_sZiufYnrLpPpRP35OjAD904LFA00|title=Military helicopter crashes in Mexico, killing 11|author=|pub=Associated Press|date=April 18, 2008}}

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[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Mexico]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Transport]]
[[Category:Aviation]] [[Category:Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie)]]
[[Category:Cannabis]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents]]
German air ambulance is similar to the military variant that crashed.
Eleven people have died after a military helicopter crashed during an anti-narcotics flight in Western Mexico. The Bell 212 went down near Uruapan in Michoacan.

Michoacan is a major area in Mexico's anti-narcotics operations, which are conducted by the nation's military. The rotorcraft went down around midday. Police cordoned off the scene and forensic officers have moved in to examine the site. The Defense Department is investigating.

A statement by the military confirmed the crash. "There are 11 men dead, including a colonel, and one soldier was injured," said a state attorney general's office spokesman. The wounded soldier, who was the sole survivor, was flown to a Mexico City military hospital, and remains there in a serious condition.

Although authorities released no crash details, witnesses say the helicopter lost power during attempts to land. "The motor stopped and the helicopter plummeted to the ground," said one local resident named Agustin Vargas. The flight had been headed to a marijuana field with the intention of raiding it.
North America Mexico Crime and law Disasters and accidents Transport Aviation Iain Macdonald (Wikinewsie) Cannabis Aviation accidents and incidents