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West Point Accident Kills Cadet and Injures 22 Others West Point Accident Kills Cadet and Injures 22 Others
(1 day later)
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One West Point cadet was killed, and 20 cadets and two soldier trainers were injured, on Thursday after a military vehicle overturned en route to a training exercise near the academy, a West Point spokesman said. One West Point cadet was killed, and 20 cadets and two soldier trainers were injured, on Thursday after a military vehicle overturned en route to a training exercise near the academy, a spokesman for the military academy said.
A five-ton cargo truck, known as a light medium tactical vehicle, was transporting the cadets to a training area about eight miles from West Point’s main campus in upstate New York when it overturned at 6:45 a.m., the spokesman, Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt, said. The cadet who was killed, Christopher J. Morgan, died at the scene of the accident, West Point officials said on Friday.
The truck, known as a light medium tactical vehicle, was transporting the cadets to a training area about eight miles from West Point’s main campus in upstate New York when it overturned at 6:45 a.m., a West Point spokesman, Lt. Col. Christopher Ophardt, said on Thursday.
The cause of the accident was unknown, Colonel Ophardt said.The cause of the accident was unknown, Colonel Ophardt said.
The truck, which was being driven by a soldier trainer, overturned near Camp Natural Bridge, a summer training site of mountainous terrain. The cadets were in the middle of the annual summer program for rising seniors, which generally includes training in military field exercises. The five-ton truck, which was being driven by a soldier trainer, overturned near Camp Natural Bridge, a summer training site of mountainous terrain. The cadets were in the middle of the annual summer program for rising seniors, which generally includes training in military field exercises.
Officials have not released the name of the cadet who was killed. The injuries to the others included facial abrasions and a broken arm; none was life threatening, Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, the superintendent of West Point, said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon. The injuries to the others included facial abrasions and a broken arm; none was life threatening, Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, the superintendent of West Point, said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and our injured,” he said, adding that the response from the community had been “very strong.” “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and our injured,” he said on Tuesday, adding that the response from the community had been “very strong.”
Mr. Morgan, 22, who was expected to graduate next year, was a member of the academy’s wrestling team and was recruited after a standout wrestling career at his high school in West Orange, N.J., where he was from.
“Cadet Morgan was a valued member of the Corps of Cadets and will be missed by all,” General Williams said in a statement on Friday.
“Chris had an infectious personality with a smile big enough to fill any room, and a heart big enough to love everyone around him,” West Point’s wrestling coach, Kevin Ward, said in a statement. “He made everyone around him better and he will be greatly missed.”
The injured were taken to Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point, N.Y., and local medical facilities.The injured were taken to Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point, N.Y., and local medical facilities.
“My heart breaks for all those involved,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement.“My heart breaks for all those involved,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement.
“These courageous cadets and soldiers represent the best of New York State and our country, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”“These courageous cadets and soldiers represent the best of New York State and our country, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Mr. Cuomo said he directed the state’s Office of Emergency Management to help with the response. The New York State Police said its troopers were also assisting.Mr. Cuomo said he directed the state’s Office of Emergency Management to help with the response. The New York State Police said its troopers were also assisting.
Emergency medical workers from Orange County, N.Y., where West Point is, were helping with the crash response, according to the county’s deputy commissioner for emergency management, Alan C. Mack.Emergency medical workers from Orange County, N.Y., where West Point is, were helping with the crash response, according to the county’s deputy commissioner for emergency management, Alan C. Mack.
“These vehicles are very prone to rollover,” Mr. Mack said. “It’s one of the downsides of them. They’re high-axle vehicles, so they can get through water and mud or that kind of stuff.”“These vehicles are very prone to rollover,” Mr. Mack said. “It’s one of the downsides of them. They’re high-axle vehicles, so they can get through water and mud or that kind of stuff.”
But during the afternoon news conference, General Williams disputed that statement, saying it was “not common” for the vehicles to roll over. He also said there were no concerns that too many passengers were in the truck.But during the afternoon news conference, General Williams disputed that statement, saying it was “not common” for the vehicles to roll over. He also said there were no concerns that too many passengers were in the truck.
The accident was one of several fatal rollovers during military training exercises in recent months.The accident was one of several fatal rollovers during military training exercises in recent months.
On May 16, Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Hess, 34, died from injuries after a Humvee rolled over at a military training center in Louisiana.On May 16, Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Hess, 34, died from injuries after a Humvee rolled over at a military training center in Louisiana.
A week prior, First Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, 24, a Marine platoon commander, was killed when a light-armored vehicle rolled over during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton in California.A week prior, First Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, 24, a Marine platoon commander, was killed when a light-armored vehicle rolled over during a training exercise at Camp Pendleton in California.
It was the second deadly rollover at Camp Pendleton in a month. In April, Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica, 29, also died after a vehicle rolled over there.It was the second deadly rollover at Camp Pendleton in a month. In April, Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica, 29, also died after a vehicle rolled over there.