Dominican army chief escapes injury in helicopter crash, 2 others treated for minor injuries

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic _ Authorities say a helicopter carrying the Dominican Republic‘s army chief and three others crashed but no one was seriously injured.

The Ministry of Defence says army chief Jose Matos escaped unharmed while two officials travelling with him were treated at a hospital for light injuries. The pilot also was uninjured.

Authorities say the helicopter’s blades and tail ripped off during Friday’s accident in a rural area near the border with Haiti. A ministry statement says a mechanical failure apparently occurred as the Bell OH-58 tried to land.

Matos and the other officials were headed to the border town of Pedernales for a routine inspection.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola.