Fort Bragg soldier killed in training accident in Texas after heliopter crash

FORT BRAGG (WTVD) -- A soldier from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division died and three others were injured following a helicopter accident while conducting training at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Saturday.

Sgt. Dwight W. Burn, 27, of California, died of injuries sustained when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter on which he was a crew member went down at approximately 8:15 p.m. in Fort Bliss' northern training area near Orogrande, New Mexico.

At last report, the three injured soldiers were in stable condition with two of them expected to be released from the hospital soon. The third soldier will remain hospitalized for medical observation.

"The loss of a Pegasus Trooper weighs heavy on our hearts today, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends affected by this tremendous loss. We are committed to providing support to our Soldiers and Families during this difficult time," said Col. Mike Musiol, 82nd CAB Commander.

A news released from Fort Bragg said Burn graduated from high school in 2005 and enlisted in the United States Army on May 11, 2010 as a CH-47 helicopter repairer. Following advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, he was assigned to Company B, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd CAB, 82nd Abn. Div. Burn deployed to Afghanistan from September 2011 to September 2012 with the 82nd CAB.

Joyce Barbour, who is a childhood friend of Burn, says she and his family are devastated. She said Burn had found his calling as an American soldier.

"It's another tragedy. He served his country. He died do something he loved. He knew what was going on in the world. He was aware of his surroundings, and what life was about, and I felt like he was a very happy person," said Barbour. "You know he was just trying to take care of his daughters, and lived life as it came to him. I will forever love him, He was my friend."

The Army isn't releasing specific details of the helicopter crash that killed Burn. Investigators from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center from Fort Rucker are looking into the cause of the accident.