At least two people died Thursday when a helicopter struck a Mississippi River barge.
The victims were both flying in the chopper, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The river was temporarily closed for commercial use.
Radio station KMOX in St. Louis, MO. first reported on the crash. A fire resulting from the collision was reportedly extinguished. No other injuries were reported.
The helicopter became entangled in a power line around 11 a.m., Pointe Fire District Chief Rick Pender said.
Update: Two dead in helicopter crash on a barge on the Mississippi River near Alton pic.twitter.com/cEbGKUsTth
— KMOX St. Louis News (@kmoxnews) August 7, 2025
The crash occurred around 11 a.m. local time near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, which is 20 miles north of St. Louis near the town of Alton, ILL.. The damn is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Video of the crash site showed thick black smoke rising above the river. No one is known to have been on the barge when it was struck.
With News Wire Services
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