US says crashed helicopter in Iraq not shot down

BAGHDAD, July 5 (Reuters) A US helicopter which crashed in northern Iraq yesterday killing one US soldier was not brought down by enemy fire, the military said today.

''There are no indications that the helicopter was shot down.

Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft hit electrical wires.

An investigation continues,'' the military said in a statement.

Another soldier on board was hurt in the crash in Nineveh province. At least 10 helicopters have been shot down in Iraq this year, killing 30 people, mostly US military personnel.

An Iraqi al Qaeda-led group said its fighters clashed with US aircraft yesterday, including an Apache helicopter which flew into a high voltage power cable in an area close to the road between Baghdad and the northern city of Mosul in Nineveh.

REUTERS AGL PM1928