Army officials are still being very tight-lipped about what is being labeled as a tragic accident at the military base at Ft. Jackson, SC. While they won’t rule out other circumstances, many questions remain.
Two soldiers were killed and six injured when a truck plowed into a formation of troops in a training area at the Army’s largest basic training base. Two soldiers remain in the hospital, one in critical condition another in fair condition. Two other soldiers were released from the hospital.
Palmetto Health spokeswoman Tammie Epps said that by law, she could not release the nature of the injuries to Pvt. Emmett Foreman of Daleville, Ala., who is listed in critical condition at Palmetto Health Richland, or Pvt. Hannah New, of Carterville, Ga., who is listed in fair condition.
Pvt. James Foster, of Macon, Ga., was treated and released from Palmetto Health Richland on Friday; and Pvt. Alan Kryszak, of Clarksville, Tenn., was released Saturday.
Pvt. Benjamin Key of Livingston, Tenn., and Pvt. Cardre Jackson Jr., of Laurel, Md., were treated and released on post. Officials at Columbia’s Providence Hospital, Lexington Medical Center and Palmetto Health said they were not admitted to their local hospital systems.
Dan Beatty, chairman of the Columbia Chamber’s military affairs committee, said USO and chamber volunteers met the families of the injured soldiers in Columbia to offer their support.
Ft. Jackson is one of the busiest training bases in the Army. About 50,000 soldiers pass thru their basic training courses each year with another 20,000 going thru different advanced courses at the bustling base outside of Columbia, SC.
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Photo courtesy US Army