UPDATE: Tragedy strikes as one soldier has died and two others are hospitalized following a truck rollover during an army training exercise near Townsville, Queensland. The incident occurred just after 6:30 PM on Wednesday on Hervey Range Road, raising serious concerns about safety protocols during military training.
Authorities confirm that the crash, involving a single military vehicle, has led to an immediate investigation by the Department of Defence, which confirmed the soldier’s death on Thursday. This incident took place at the Townsville Field Training Area, a critical site for military exercises.
Multiple emergency units, including paramedics and a rescue helicopter, rushed to the scene. One of the injured, a man in his 30s, was airlifted to Townsville University Hospital with serious chest and abdominal injuries but is currently in stable condition. Another soldier in his 20s was transported by ground ambulance, also in stable condition, suffering from back injuries. Both individuals have since been released from the hospital, according to official reports.
The department has urged the public to respect the privacy of the affected soldiers and their families during this difficult time. The tragic event echoes a previous incident in August 2021, when two soldiers lost their lives in a similar rollover south of Townsville. Following that incident, the Department of Defence faced charges in September 2023 for breaching federal work health and safety laws.
This latest event raises urgent questions about the safety measures in place during military training exercises. In another troubling incident earlier this year in March, a truck rollover during a flood response in Lismore, NSW, resulted in the hospitalization of 13 soldiers.
As the investigation unfolds, military officials and safety advocates are calling for stricter oversight to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future. The community is reminded of available support through resources like Lifeline at 13 11 14 and Open Arms at 1800 011 046 for those affected by this devastating news.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
