Two Ft. Wainwright soldiers die and 12 injured enroute to training exercise

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Updated Wednesday, Oct. 4. According to army spokesperson John Pennell. eight of the 12 injured soldiers involved in a fatal rollover crash near Salcha on Monday have been released from the hospital. Four others are still hospitalized after the rollover that took two soldiers lives.

Two U.S. Army soldiers from Ft. Wainwright were killed and 12 others were injured Monday when their military transport vehicle flipped on the way to the Yukon Training area near Salcha, according to a press release from the U.S. Army Alaska 11 Airborne Division.

The driver lost control of the LMTV transport vehicle on a dirt road and caused the vehicle to flip. 17 soldiers were riding in the large transport vehicle at the time of the accident, stated Army spokesperson John Pennel.

First responders, to include Alaska State Troopers, North Pole Fire Dept., and Eielson Air Force Base personnel, arrived at the scene and provided medical treatment. The 12 injured soldiers were then transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

The two soldiers with life-threatening injuries were taken by air to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage. Both soldiers succumbed to their injuries. Their names will be released 24 hours after relatives have been notified.

“We’re a real tight-knit group in the military, so right now, the entire 11th Airborne Division is grieving and preparing to provide whatever support is necessary for the families of the deceased and to help support those who are still in the hospital and dealing with their injuries,” Pennell said.

Pennell said the Army and an investigation team from the Army Combat Readiness Center in Alabama will investigate the cause.

At this time, the cause is unknown and a formal investigation is underway to figure out what happened and understand what went wrong.

This article was updated with new information on Wed. Oct 4, 2023.

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