Three confirmed dead in National Guard helicopter crash near southern border in Texas: Chopper was 'on federal orders' carrying three soldiers and one Border Patrol agent

Three people have died and one person has been left injured after a National Guard helicopter crashed in Texas.

The helicopter went down at 2:50pm on Friday in the border town of La Grulla, near the Rio Grande.

The aircraft was carrying a Border Patrol agent who was killed along with two soldiers. A third solider was injured.

The names of the deceased are not being released until their next of kin have been informed. 

Law enforcement sources told local media the chopper was 'on federal orders' at the time. The cause of the accident is being probed.

Three people have died after a National Guard helicopter crashed in Texas

The crash took place on Friday afternoon, near Rio Grande City approximately two miles east of La Grulla

Two soldiers and one border patrol agent were killed in the crash with a third soldier injured

The helicopter was New York National Guard Lakota chopper 

Escalon said the aircraft was 'a military helicopter on federal orders working with Border Patrol' and not part of Operation Lone Star, Texas' border enforcement arm which works with the National Guard.

Starr County Sheriff's Office said it is, 'currently assisting with a downed helicopter incident on the East side of the county, involving possibly four occupants'.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed it is assisting federal agencies with the crash, which took place near Old Military Road, approximately two miles east of La Grulla. 

Former Republican congresswoman Mayra Flores Vallejo asked the public to pray for the victims.

'I am asking for a prayer request and support for Border Patrol and CBP Air and Marine Operations. A tragic helicopter crash just happened near La Grulla, Texas. My thoughts and prayers are with you,' she wrote on X.