Iraqi dies in U.S. helicopter collision

BAGHDAD, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- An Iraqi soldier died Saturday evening when two U.S. Blackhawk helicopters collided while landing in Baghdad.

Lt. Patrick Evans, a spokesman for the U.S. military, said the crash did not appear to be the result of insurgent fire, CNN reported.

The UH-60 Blackhawks were landing at Combat Outpost Ford in northern Baghdad.

Two U.S. and two Iraqi soldiers were hurt, Evans said.

Another U.S. helicopter crashed late Saturday during a gunfight between Iraqi forces and insurgents in a Shiite stronghold in eastern Baghdad, Interior Ministry officials said. The area had been sealed off whiel the fighting continued, and the number of casualties was unknown.