US helicopter 'shot down'

An American military OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed today into a river west of Baghdad, killing the two crew members.

The helicopter crashed near Haditha, 120 miles from the capital. Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said the cause of the crash had not been determined.

In Haditha, Emad Rasheed, 45, said two US helicopters were flying over the area when a missile hit one of them. However, Kimmitt said the second helicopter reported seeing no hostile fire.

The US military has lost 14 helicopters since the occupation began in May - most to hostile fire.