SAN DIEGO, Ca. – According to officials, a 21-year-old corporal from Louisiana died after the multi-ton truck carrying him and a few other individual flipped on a paved two-lane road at Camp Pendleton.
18 Marines sustained injuries in the rollover accident and 6 of them were listed in critical condition on Friday.
The accident happened when the troops were returning from routine training.
The Marine Corps told that the Marine who died was Cpl. Bryan Michael Lauw.
“The loss of Bryan and the injuries sustained to our Marines is a tremendous blow to our battalion. During this difficult time, we rely heavily on each other and ensure the families and friends affected feel the upmost support,” said Lt. Col. Christian Rankin, Lauw’s commanding officer.
McFadden said that the reason of the accident is not known. It is not known yet if the truck which is used to transport Marines and haul supplies struck something due to which it flipped, had a mechanical failure or the rate of speed at which it was traveling was high.
No other motor vehicle was involved in the accident.
On Friday, a statement was issued by Maj. General Daniel J. O’Donohue, commanding general of 1st Marine Division in which he said, “After this tragic training accident, our first concern is for the welfare of our deceased Marine, the injured and their families. They are held close in our hearts and prayers”.
It was stated that months are required for the investigation of the incident.
The truck in which the Marines were traveling is considered to be a workhorse for the Navy and Marine Corps. It is known as a “Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement” or MTVR, and it was created to run in weather conditions starting from minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
The manufacturer of the truck, Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corp, said that it can carry almost 15 tons over the highway and up to 7 tons off-road. It is also said that the truck looked heavy but it can easily operate in 5 feet of water, climb a 60-percent gradient and can travel on a 30-degree side slope.
Lauw who died in the accident was an anti-tank missile man from the division’s 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and during the time period he worked, he had served aboard an amphibious assault ship in Central America and South America.
News Source: www.KNOE.com
