Tennessee National Guard Pilots Killed in Helicopter Crash
Today, Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, confirmed the identities of two Tennessee Army National Guard pilots who were killed Wednesday afternoon in a helicopter accident in Madison County, Alabama.[0] On Wednesday afternoon, a tragic incident occurred that resulted in the death of two Chief Warrant Officers: 3 Daniel Wadham of Joelton (15 years of service) and 3 Danny Randolph of Murfreesboro (13 years of service).[1]
Wadham and Randolph both served in the National Guard for 15 and 13 years respectively.[2] A Company, 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, from Nashville's Berry Field Air National Guard Base, had Wadham and Randolph assigned to them.[3] No other guardsmen or inhabitants were injured in the accident.[4]
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey responded to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's tweet, saying, “Governor Lee, Alabamians will continue to uplift in prayer the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. The Guardsmen who lost their lives today will be remembered as heroes. The people of Alabama stand with our neighbors in Tennessee.”[1]
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported a crash on Highway 53 in Madison County, close to the Alabama-Tennessee border, at the crossroads of Burrell Road.[5] At approximately 3 p.m., Brent Patterson, a spokesperson for the Madison County Sheriff's office, informed ABC News that the office had received an emergency call via its 911 system.[5] Officers from the agency and deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Office cordoned off the area.[6]
Residents have been cautioned not to gather or move any wreckage from the accident and to alert authorities right away.[7] The Madison County Sheriff's Office has declared the closure of Hwy. 53, Jeff Road, Douglas Road, and the stretch of highway between Research Park Blvd. and Jeff Road until further notice.[8]
The Tennessee National Guard asked Tennesseans to join them in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief.[9] Fellow servicemen and women, friends, and family members have shared stories of their courage and service, remembering Wadham and Randolph as heroes. Federal and state authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and cause of the crash extensively.[8] In the days and weeks to come, officials said they will provide more information as it becomes available.[7]
0. “Victims of the Tennessee National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crash identified” NPR, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/02/16/1157656581/helicopter-crash-victims-identified-tennessee-national-guard-alabama-black-hawk
1. “Tennessee National Guard identifies pilots killed in Alabama Black Hawk helicopter crash” WKRN News 2, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tennessee-national-guardsmen-killed-in-alabama-black-hawk-helicopter-crash/
2. “Tennessee National Guard identifies 2 soldiers killed in Alabama Black Hawk crash” Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/us/tennessee-national-guard-identifies-soldiers-killed-alabama-black-hawk-crash
3. “Tennessee National Guardsman who died in Black Hawk crash loved flying” Tennessean, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2023/02/16/tennessee-guardsman-danny-randolph-killed-in-black-hawk-helicopter-crash/69911896007/
4. “Tennessee National Guard releases names of soldiers who died in helicopter crash” News Channel 5 Nashville, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.newschannel5.com/news/tennessee-national-guard-releases-names-of-soldiers-who-died-in-helicopter-crash
5. “No survivors after Black Hawk helicopter crashes onto Alabama highway: Sheriff's office” ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.abc15.com/news/national/no-survivors-after-black-hawk-helicopter-crashes-onto-alabama-highway-sheriffs-office
6. “Service members killed in Black Hawk crash identified” WTVD-TV, 15 Feb. 2023, https://abc11.com/service-members-killed-in-black-hawk-crash-identified-/12821073
7. “Tennessee National Guardsmen killed in Alabama helicopter crash identified” WATE 6 On Your Side, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.wate.com/news/tennessee/national-guardsmen-killed-in-alabama-helicopter-crash-identified/
8. “Two killed in Tennessee National Guard helicopter crash, Hwy. 53 to remain closed tomorrow” WLOX, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.wlox.com/2023/02/16/two-killed-tennessee-national-guard-helicopter-crash
9. “2 National Guardsmen killed in Black Hawk helicopter crash near Alabama highway” CBS News, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-tennessee-national-guardsmen-killed-black-hawk-helicopter-crash-alabama-highway-madison-county-national-guard
