Two young soldiers died and three were injured while training in the mountains during a thunderstorm.
The accident took place at Yonah Mountain in Georgia where soldiers were partaking in a grueling 2-month Army Ranger School course when they were ambushed by a heavy downpour on Tuesday afternoon.
Amid the “weather-induced training hold,” several soldiers were reportedly struck by a falling tree while seeking shelter. While two were killed in the accident, three more were injured and required medical treatment.
The two deceased soldiers have since been identified as 30-year-old Staff Sgt. George L. Taber and 23-year-old Second Lt. Evan Fitzgibbon.
“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of these two outstanding Soldiers and send our heartfelt condolences to their families,” Fort Benning commanding general Maj. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard said in a statement.
“They are in our thoughts and prayers.”
Meanwhile, the 7th Special Forces Group commander paid a tribute to Taber, a special forces medical sergeant, as he extended his condolences to his family.
“We are extremely saddened by the loss of Staff Sgt. George Taber. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and teammates,” said Col. Kevin Trujillo.
“He was an exemplary soldier and Green Beret and he will be sorely missed.”
2nd Battalion commander Lt. Col. Brockton Hershberger added: “Our battalion is devastated by the loss of our teammate. Staff Sgt. Taber was an outstanding Soldier and a model Green Beret. Our top priority is to support his family in any way we can.”
The tragic deaths come after the National Weather Service warned locals of extreme thunderstorms in the mountainous region on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the reports, winds in the region reached the speed of 60 mph and were accompanied by hail.
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