Alton, IL (Aug. 7, 2025) – Tragedy struck Thursday morning when a helicopter collided with powerlines before crashing into a barge on the Mississippi River near Alton, Illinois, and catching fire. The accident, which occurred roughly 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, claimed the lives of two people.

According to reports, the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the sequence of events leading to the crash, stating the aircraft struck powerlines before making impact with the vessel in the water. The post-crash fire added further complications for responding emergency crews.

The Federal Aviation Administration will assist the NTSB in determining the cause of the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency responders were on scene managing recovery efforts. Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims.

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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

This article is based on preliminary information provided by local and federal authorities and may be updated as more facts are confirmed.

• The names of the victims have not yet been officially released, as authorities work to notify the families.
• Further updates on the helicopter crash, including investigative findings, safety reviews, and potential contributing factors, will be shared once made public by officials.
• Information about river closures, navigation alerts, and ongoing recovery operations can be obtained from the U.S. Coast Guard or relevant local agencies.

The content provided here is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. All details reflect the most current public reports available at the time of writing and may change as investigations progress. Anyone affected by a similar incident is encouraged to seek professional legal guidance. The publisher assumes no responsibility for actions taken based on this report. See our full disclaimer.