Several calls to an aircraft in distress arrived around 6:30 pm, Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter told a news conference.
“According to the 911 reports … there were crackling calls, engine sounds and the aircraft was flying very low, lower than normal,” said Baxter.
First aid arrived to find a helicopter on fire.
“They went into rescue mode, trying to rescue anyone who might be on the aircraft or in the area,” said Baxter, adding that the wreckage now expands a few blocks from the city, or about 30 meters in each direction.
The helicopter was a UH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter. The incident is being investigated, the Division for Military and Naval Affairs said, adding that no other information was immediately available.
The Monroe County sheriff’s office will conduct a preliminary investigation into the accident, Baxter said. Your office will then deliver the investigation to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Guard.
“This is a heavy, heavy burden for all of us. These are our providers of freedom … We lost three brave Americans today in the service of our country,” said Baxter.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that he was “devastated” by the soldiers’ deaths.
“The members of the National Guard are our citizen soldiers who serve and protect voluntarily here and abroad, and extend prayers and condolences from all New Yorkers to the family, loved ones and fellow soldiers of these honorable heroes that we will never forget.”
The governor ordered the flags on all buildings in the state to be reduced to half an official on Thursday to honor the victims.
CNN’s Sonia Moghe contributed to this report.