Three soldiers have died following a collision between two army helicopters in the US state of Alaska.

Two of the soldiers died at the scene, with the third dying while on the way to hospital.

A fourth soldier is being treated in hospital for injuries following the crash on Thursday, which involved two AH-64 Apache helicopters returning from a training flight in the Healy region of the northwestern state.

The soldiers’ identities have been withheld until relatives are notified, the army said.

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Each helicopter was carrying two people at the time of the accident, John Pennell, a spokesman for the US army Alaska, said.

“This is an incredible loss for these soldiers’ families, their fellow soldiers, and for the division,” Major General Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to their families, friends and loved ones, and we are making the full resources of the army available to support them.”

The incident under investigation, with further details to be released when available.

In February, there was another accident involving military helicopters in Alaska where two soldiers were injured.

While nine soldiers were killed when two army helicopters crashed in Kentucky in March, again during a training exercise.