Soldier killed in helicopter accident

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- A soldier was killed exiting a helicopter during an emergency landing Friday near Fort Campbell, and four others were taken to a hospital, an Army spokeswoman said.

Cathy Gramling, a spokeswoman for Fort Campbell, said the UH60 Blackhawk helicopter made a "precautionary landing" at 10:30 a.m. CDT after a warning light came on in the cockpit.

The Army did not say how the soldier was killed, but local fire rescue workers told The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville that the soldier was struck by the main rotor blades of the helicopter.

Four other soldiers on board were taken to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. Three were treated for minor injuries and released and the fourth was being held overnight for observation of injuries that were not life-threatening, spokeswoman Laura Boyd said.

No identities had been released Friday night.

The helicopter was from the 159th Aviation Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, which is based at Fort Campbell. It was on a routine maintenance mission when it landed at an airfield in Clarksville, Tenn., just outside the base on the Kentucky-Tennessee line.