ALTON, Ill. – Emergency responders from Missouri and Illinois converged late Thursday morning on an area of the Mississippi River near Alton after hearing reports of a downed helicopter.

The helicopter reportedly struck transmission lines over the river and crashed into a barge near Maple Island, just east of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. The barge caught fire.

This is a breaking news story. FOX 2 News will have more information on-air and online as it becomes available.

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