2nd LD Writethru: 1 killed, 2 injured in U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter crash on Maryland golf course

A U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter on Monday crashed on a golf course in southern Maryland, leaving one crew member dead and two others injured.

The UH-60 Blackhawk from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, crashed around 1:50 p.m. near Leonardtown, Ft. Belvoir spokesman Jimmie Cummings said.

Two medevac helicopters were initially sent to the scene to assist after the crash, local media reported.

Kevin Bowen, who works in the pro shop of the Breton Bay Golf and Country Club in Leonardtown, St. Mary's County, told local media he saw the helicopter "flying kind of low" and then "saw it spinning" before it went down between the third and fourth holes of the golf course.

Another witness, Garrett Bowles, told CNN he thinks the helicopter hit some trees as it went down. He also saw another helicopter was at the scene when it crashed.

Jennifer Stone, spokeswoman for St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, said authorities are still working to secure the scene.

The incident came less than two weeks after a military jet, which was on a training mission at the time, crashed in a wooded area just outside a suburban Washington D.C. neighbourhood. The pilot safely ditched the jet with minor injuries.

The UH-60 Blackhawk is an Army utility helicopter used in air assault, air cavalry and aero-medical evacuation units. Endit