8 guardsmen injured in military vehicle accident in Fort Smith
By Talya Holgate-Allen
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FORT SMITH, Arkansas (KHBS, KHOG) — Eight soldiers were injured in a military vehicle accident at Fort Chaffee, according to a news release from the Arkansas National Guard.
The accident happened Monday morning around 11 a.m. during a training exercise. According to the news release, the accident included three heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks (HEMMTs).
Officials said the vehicles were driving down a dirt road at the time of the accident. They said visibility was low because of dust kicked up, which the HEMMTs and drivers could not see when another one stopped.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
“The road’s dusty conditions. I’m sure that has probably something to do with what happened,” said Col. Joel Lynch, State Public Affairs Officer with the Arkansas National Guard. “But anyhow, the first vehicle stopped, second vehicle didn’t react in time and hit the first vehicle. Then that third vehicle in that convoy hit the second vehicle. And somewhere in there we had all the injuries and we had the one soldier seriously injured.” They had to use the jaws for life to to, to pry him out of the, the, the cab because it was damaged to that point. So that’s where he sustained some serious injuries on his back and his leg, I believe, as well.”
Seven soldiers were taken to Mercy hospital in Fort Smith with minor injuries and one was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville with serious injuries.
The soldier who was evacuated by air to Washington Regional underwent surgery. Officials said that soldier was taken to a Springfield, Missouri hospital and is now in stable condition.
The other seven soldiers were eventually released from Mercy hospital in Fort Smith Monday and returned to duty.
As of Tuesday, May 5th, one soldier is currently in stable condition at a Springfield hospital.
The soldiers were identified as being part of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard which is based in Northwest Arkansas.
Correction: It was previously reported that seven soldiers were injured, but the Arkansas National Guard gave more information confirming that eight soldiers were injured.
In the updated release, they stated that four soldiers returned to duty.
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