The US Army on Monday identified three soldiers that were killed during a training accident in Georgia early Sunday morning that injured three others.
Training Accident on US Army Grounds in Georgia
On Sunday, it was announced that it was “a heartbreaking day” for the entire Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield community.
“We are extremely saddened by the loss of three Dogface Soldiers, and injuries to three more. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families affected by this tragedy.”
The three deceased soldiers are Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Jenkins, 41, of Gainesville, Florida, Cpl. Thomas Walker, 22, of Ohio, and Pfc. Antonio Garcia, 21, of Arizona. All three were part of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team.
According to a report by Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto, the soldiers were riding in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield when at about 3:20 AM, the vehicle apparently “rolled off a bridge and was submerged upside down in a stream.
The three named soldiers were pronounced dead on-site, and three more were injured. They were taken to Winn Army Community Hospital in Fort Stewart for their injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the 3rd Infantry Division and a team from the US Army Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Two of the injured soldiers were well enough to be released, but the third was moved into Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. In a press conference on Monday, Aguto confirmed that he is now in stable condition.
Taking a moment to steady his voice, Maj. Gen. Aguto was emotional in offering his condolences to the families of the three soldiers.
“It is hard enough when you lose one soldier, but when you lose three, that pain is amplified. And we are really feeling and sharing that pain across the division and across our entire community.”
A memorial service will be held on base, Aguto said. A date hasn’t been set yet.
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