Two Mississippi National Guard soldiers were killed Friday during a helicopter crash in Prentiss County.
Shortly after 2 p.m., WTVA reported a crash in a wooded area off Highway 30 near Mount Olive Baptist Church in east Prentiss. The Mississippi National Guard did not take long to release a statement, confirming that it was an Apache AH-64 helicopter that crashed during a routine training flight.
At 4:46 p.m., Gov. Tate Reeves revealed the news that the two soldiers aboard had passed away:
“Today at approximately 2 p.m., the Mississippi National Guard experienced an Apache AH-64 helicopter crash during a routine training flight in Prentiss County. Tragically, both Guardsmen on board did not survive. Safety crews are currently working the scene of the crash with local authorities. Please join [the First Lady] and me in praying for the two Guardsmen and their families. Mississippi will always be grateful for their service, and we will never forget them.”
Since the devastating news, several local, state, and federal officials have gone to social media to issue their condolences.
Devastating news in Mississippi yesterday. We are in prayer for the families of these soldiers. We will never forget their service to our state and nation.https://t.co/2iz8YtRBbZ
— Delbert Hosemann (@DelbertHosemann) February 24, 2024
My heart breaks for these two Mississippi National Guardsmen, their families, and their teammates. My wife Gayle and I join our fellow Mississippians in extending our deepest sympathies and prayers. https://t.co/xKd5Q4JmlJ
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) February 24, 2024
The identities of the Guard members were revealed as Bryan Andrew Zemek, 36, and Derek Joshua Abbott, 42. Both men were chief warrant officers. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
