One Marine killed, several others injured in Camp Lejeune training exercise
CAMP LEJEUNE (WTVD) -- One Marine has been killed and 11 others were hurt when a helicopter made a hard landing at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter came down hard during a training exercise around 9 p.m. Wednesday, Capt. Ryan Elizabeth Alvis said in a statement.
Alvis said the name of the dead Marine would not be released for 24 hours.
One of the injured Marines was reportedly in serious condition. The other Marines suffered injuries that were not considered serious, Capt. Kendra Motz, a base spokeswoman, said Thursday morning. Their names have not been released.
Alvis said a number of the injured were taken to the Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. Others were taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville and one was sent to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. There was no other breakdown on how many of the injured went to which hospital.
The landing is under investigation, Alvis said.
"Today's tragic accident reminds us all of the dangers and sacrifices our military men and women and their families face as they protect our freedom and way of life," Governor Pat McCrory said in a statement. "I know all of North Carolina joins me in prayer for the brave Marine who was killed as well as the family and the fellow Marines who will mourn this tragic loss."
The helicopter was assigned to Heavy Helicopter Squadron-464, Marine Aircraft group-29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. The helicopter is the Marine Corps' primary heavy lift helicopter. It has a top speed of 172 mph.
No other information on the incident was immediately available.
According to ABCNews, the incident marks the fifth incident this year, and the 18th Marine death, involving a helicopter/tilt rotator accident.
In January, two service members were killed in Southern California during a training accident.
On March 10, seven Marines, also based out of Camp Lejeune, were killed in a helicopter crash off the Florida Panhandle.
Six Marines were killed in a helicopter crash on May 12 during rescue operations following the earthquake in Nepal, and two other were killed five days later in an Osprey aircraft crash in Hawaii.
