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Helicopter crash in New Mexico kills 5, injures 1

Posted at 9:58 AM, Jan 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-18 10:58:21-05

RATON, N.M. (AP) -- The Latest on a helicopter crash in northern New Mexico (all times local):

8:40 a.m.

Authorities say five people have died and one was seriously injured after a helicopter crashed in northern New Mexico.

Lt. Elizabeth Armijo of the New Mexico State Police says six people were aboard the helicopter Wednesday evening when it went down in a mountainous area but that no additional information was immediately available about the victims or circumstances of the crash.

The helicopter crashed about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of the small city of Raton (rah-TOHNE') near the Colorado state line.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the helicopter was a Huey UH-1. He says information on its registration isn't available.

Raton is 175 miles (282 kilometers) northeast of Albuquerque.

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6:35 a.m.

Authorities say a helicopter has crashed in rural northern New Mexico near the state line with Colorado.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter was carrying six people when it crashed Wednesday evening in mountains about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of the small city of Raton (rah-TOHNE'), but there's no immediate word of any injuries.

The New Mexico State Police said several hours after the crash that "response and rescue attempts" were ongoing but slow, and the agency did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for updated information.

FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford says the agency did not have information about the ownership of the helicopter or its departure point or destination.

Raton is 175 miles (282 kilometers) northeast of Albuquerque.
 

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