ST. CHARLES — Two people died Thursday morning after a helicopter struck power lines, crashed into a barge and caught fire near Alton.

The crash happened just after 11 a.m. about a mile and a half south of the Clark Bridge over the Mississippi River, said Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Cpl. Dallas Thompson.

There were two people in the helicopter and they both died in the crash, Thompson said. They were part of a crew working on power lines that cross the river.

No one was on the barge when the helicopter crashed.

Ameren confirmed a contractor and subcontractor were there repairing and replacing tower lighting and marker balls. The company said the crash created no power outages and that it would cooperate with investigators.

"We are saddened about today's tragic incident," the com

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