FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear delivered remarks during a press conference Thursday morning at Fort Campbell on the military helicopter crash that killed nine people in Trigg County.
The governor expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the service members who died in the crash.
"Today is a tough and tragic day for Kentucky, Fort Campbell and for the 101st. The nine individuals we lost are children of God. They will be mourned and missed by their families, by their communities. We are blessed to live in the freest country in the history of planet Earth. We must remember that freedom relies on those who are willing to serve, some of whom pay the ultimate price. We’re going to do what we always do. We’re going to wrap our arms around these families. We’re going to be there with them – not just for the days, but for the weeks and the months and the years to come. We’re going to let them know that they are loved and they are special. If they will allow us to carry some of their grief, we will do that for as long as we can."
Gov. Beshear says he spoke with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee who also expressed his grief for this loss and agreed that there are no state lines when it comes to helping each other grieve.
Here in Kentucky, and I know in Tennessee, we love Fort Campbell. We love all of the people who live here and work here. They are a part of our community – of who we are. Their loss today is our loss. We’re going to stand with both those who are here today, and again we’re going to make sure that these families know they’re loved, they’re not alone.
The governor also thanked the first responders who came from all over Kentucky to the crash site.
I also want to thank the first responders, who came from the entire region, there on the ground immediately after this incident, doing everything that they could. The first responders include the Kentucky State Police, Trigg County Emergency Management, Trigg and Christian County Sheriff’s Offices, Trigg and Marshall County rescue squads, East Golden Pond and other Trigg County Fire Departments, Trigg County EMS and Christian County Emergency Management.
