Three Australian Army members were injured during a live fire exercise at the Shoalwater Bay training area in Queensland last night.
The incident occurred at approximately 10.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, 18 March 2014 and involved the firing of an illumination round from an Army M777A2 Howitzer.
The soldiers received immediate first aid from medical personnel, who were in attendance for the exercise. Two of the soldiers were air lifted to a local hospital by civilian air ambulance, with the third soldier transported to the same hospital by civilian road ambulance.
Two soldiers are in a serious condition, while the third soldier is in a stable condition. Due do medical confidentiality, Defence will not provide any further information about the soldiers, or details regarding their injuries.
The soldiers’ next of kin have been informed and Defence is providing support to the members and their families.
The Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS) has commenced an investigation and will be liaising with the Queensland Police Service.
As investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for Defence to comment further or speculate on the cause of the incident.
Media contact:
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999
Issued by Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999 Fax: 02 6265 6946
