27 Fort Drum troops involved in collision in training area

TIMES STAFF WRITER

FORT DRUM — A four-vehicle collision left 27 soldiers injured early Sunday afternoon. Two suffered serious injuries.

The pileup occurred at a training area on post, where soldiers train on various ranges. The accident began when one vehicle rear-ended another, causing a chain reaction of four troop transport trucks. They were carrying soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Light Infantry Regiment, according to Fort Drum spokeswoman Julie A. Cupernall.

The 10th Mountain Division soldiers were taken to area hospitals. One soldier with serious injuries was taken to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, according to Krista A. Kittle, spokeswoman for Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown. Post and hospital officials would not give details of the injuries, citing patient privacy considerations.

It appears the front vehicle stopped abruptly, resulting in the pileup, Ms. Cupernall said. Post officials will conduct an investigation into the accident.

Assisting at the scene were Fort Drum emergency medical services, Guilfoyle Ambulance, as well as Evans Mills and Indian River ambulance services. Jefferson County’s Mass Casualty Injury trailer was dispatched from the Jefferson County Fair but was not used, according to a Jefferson County dispatcher.

The post counts on support from neighboring communities, Ms. Cupernall said.

“While it looks like we’re very lucky that this accident isn’t as bad as we first thought, the incredible response from Jefferson County and mutual aid partners is always very much appreciated and again is what sets Fort Drum from other Army posts,” she said.

Samaritan Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital and E.J. Noble Hospital, Gouverneur, took in the soldiers.

The battalion is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which is set to deploy to Afghanistan next summer.