FAIRFIELD, Utah County — Two people died Monday night when a helicopter crashed in the foothills of Lake Mountain in western Utah County.
The victims were part of a training mission for the Utah National Guard, spokesman Maj. Hank McIntire said.
The crash occurred about 8:20 p.m. near Fairfield.
A medical helicopter with night vision capabilities was called to the scene. A victim who was being worked on by paramedics died before the helicopter could leave the mountainside, University Hospital spokesman Christopher Nelson said.
Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon confirmed late Monday that only two people were aboard the helicopter and both had died. Their identities were being withheld pending notification of family members.
An eyewitness to the crash reported the aircraft "landed softly," dispatchers said.
This is the first helicopter crash for the National Guard that McIntire said he could remember.