A helicopter crash claimed the lives of two individuals on Tuesday in Marion County.

 

Highway Patrol Officials confirmed that one of their troopers as well as a Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy died in the crash.

 

Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the two victims as Sergeant Lee Russell, of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and Matt Blansett, of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. The two men were said to be involved in an aerial mission in the Chattanooga area when the helicopter crashed.

 

A spokesperson with the Tennessee Department of Transportation confirmed that the helicopter did strike the power lines crossing I-24 at mile marker 163, causing them to fall onto the roadway. That roadway has since reopened.

 

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are  investigating the crash.