A military vehicle carrying 17 soldiers overturned in the middle of a dirt road in Alaska, killing two and injuring 12 others.
A tragic accident occurred in Alaska after a military vehicle carrying 17 soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division overturned on a dirt road last Saturday afternoon, killing two soldiers and injuring 12 others.
The vehicle was a light medium tactical transport on its way to the Yukon training area when the driver lost control. The cause of the accident is under investigation, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson said in a news release.
Rescuers arrived on scene and rescued the personnel, where they provided medical treatment until they could be evacuated to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Fairbanks, Alaska News reported.
Some of the victims were airlifted and others were transported by land. Two soldiers were seriously injured and were taken to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, the statement added.
So far, the two deceased servicemen have not been identified, as the military must first notify next of kin of their deaths.
Meanwhile, the division’s chief of media relations, John Pennell, expressed his sorrow for the tragic event and offered his sympathy to the affected families.
“It’s a tragic event for the families, for fellow soldiers, for friends of soldiers,” Pennell said. “Basically, the entire 11th Airborne Division family is mourning the loss of these two Soldiers and preparing to step up and do everything we can for the families they’ve left behind.”