Paratroopers from Camp Shelby are injured in a night training jump – as ‘some of them land in trees’ during manoeuvres at the National Guard base
- Soldiers part of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division
- One commander said the wind blew them from their drop zone and into trees
- Doctors and nurses called to the scene in Mississippi following the incident
Paratroopers from Camp Shelby have been injured during a night training jump at the National Guard base in Mississippi.
Commander Col.Bobby Ginn said some of the paratroopers ‘landed in the trees’ when the wind blew them from their drop zone, he told WDAM Television.
The soldiers were thought to have been part of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division out of Alaska.
Doctors and nurses were called in to help at the scene following the accident and it is not yet clear how many people have been injured.
It is thought that non of the injuries are life threatening.
Doctors and nurses are being called in to help at the scene following the accident
Multiple ambulances have been seen outside Camp Shelby as well as helicopters.
Early reports from the scene suggested that more than 80 people had been injured, but it was later reported that 80 paratroopers had taken part in the exercise.
Quentis Jones, a reporter for Fox 23, was present at the local hospital and tweeted: ‘On the scene at Forrest General [hospital] where more than 80 paratroopers from camp Shelby injured during training. We’re told some of them landed in trees.
‘Doctors and nurses are being called in to help with injured.’
He later clarified there were 80 people taking part and it is not known how many are injured.
Lici Beveridge, a reporter for the Hattiesburg American, was told also told there were 80 involved in the exercise, but not all were injured.
Multiple paratroopers have been injured during a jump exercise at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, according to reports
‘I’m here at Forrest General where ambulances have been rolling in. Lots of law enforcement too,’ she tweeted.
There are not believed to be any life-threatening injuries.
In a statement, the Mississippi National Guard said: ‘At 8:00 P.M. this evening the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Alaska, conducted an Airborne Operation on Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Hattiesburg, Miss., with approximately 650 Soldiers jumping in to begin at ten-day training exercise.’
It added that soldiers were still being consolidated on the drop zone and highlighted that all Aiborne Operation bear an ‘inherent risk’.
‘We strive to mitigate this risk as much as possible. Forrest General Hospital was notified prior to the jump of the potential influx of patients and the types of injuries to be expected and emergency vehicles were on standby at Camp Shelby prior to the jump.
‘We are grateful for the overwhelming support that we have received from units here on Camp Shelby as well as local first responders. The entire community has come together to ensure that we are able to provide expert treatment to any Soldiers who were injured during the Airborne Operation. Confirmed injuries are not known at this time.’
The continued that once all soldiers had been accounted for, then the goal was to continue training.
‘Despite the challenges that we currently face, Soldiers always place the mission first.’
Advertisement
