18-year-old from Fayetteville dies during training at Fort Jackson

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Tuesday, September 24, 2019
18-year-old from Fayetteville dies during training at Fort Jackson
18-year-old from Fayetteville dies during training at Fort Jackson

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- An 18-year-old from Fayetteville, who was training to be a US soldier, died while training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday.

The U.S. Army confirmed Monday that the soldier-in-training was Private 1st Class Andrew McLean.

The Army said he had a "medical emergency while preparing to do physical training in his battalion area." They said heat was not a factor in his death but did not release any specifics about the medical emergency.

"Separate investigations are taking place to determine the facts behind the incident and will be provided in time to our soldier's family, who rightly deserve this information," said USATC & Fort Jackson CG, Brig. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr.

According to his Facebook page, McLean was a recent graduate of Lee County High School.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own. Our hearts and prayers are with the family members and teammates of the deceased soldier. We are providing every comfort and assistance we can to all involved," Beagle said.

The Army will hold a memorial service for McLean. Details about that service have not yet been announced.