Series of Helicopter Crashes in Afghanistan Kill 14 U.S. Soldiers

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By Kris Rusho

Story Published: Oct 26, 2009 at 2:28 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 26, 2009 at 2:28 PM EDT

Reports from the Department of Defense are confirming the deaths of 14 Americans by a bizarre series of helicopter crashes in Afghanistan.

According to a CBS News report, "7 U.S. troops and three U.S. civilians working for the government died when their helicopter went down early Monday in western Afghanistan. Twelve Americans and 14 Afghans were injured."

Also on Monday, October 26, two U.S. helicopters crashed into eachother in the southern region, killing 4 American troops and wounding two others.

Authorities say that hostile fire was not the cause of the collision, but did not give a reason for the earlier crash in Western Afghanistan.

The Taliban is claiming to have shot down a helicopter in the province of Badghis in northwestern Afghanistan.

It was not clear if the claim was related to the crash and there are no indications that any of the soldiers, wounded or killed, are from the 10th Mountain Division.

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