An Australian army soldier has died and two others have been injured in an accident during training in north Queensland.
The soldier was fatally injured in a vehicle rollover during a training course at the Townsville Field Training Area near Townsville on Wednesday, a Defence spokesperson said.
Paramedics treated three people at the scene of the single-vehicle incident on Hervey Range Road near Townsville on Wednesday evening, the Queensland ambulance service said.
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A “male in their 30s was airlifted in a stable condition with chest and abdominal injuries to Townsville University hospital. A third patient, a male in their 20s, suffered back injuries and was transported stable by road to Townsville University hospital.”
Multiple ambulances and a rescue helicopter attended the scene.
The defence minister and deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, offered his condolences to the family of the soldier who died, in a social media post.
“My thoughts are with the family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of the Australian Army soldier who has sadly passed away following a training incident near Townsville last night,” the minister said.
“As a small, tight-knit community I know this will be felt right across Townsville and the entire Australian defence force.
Map annotation the location of the accident and it’s proximity to Townsville
“This is a tragic loss and the sacrifice of our service personnel weighs heavily on us all. Our service men and women wear our nation’s uniform with pride and we recognise the risks they take each and every day in the defence of our nation.
“I know all Australians are embracing the Townsville community and 3rd Brigade today.”
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Police confirmed the accident took place on Defence land. The ADF’s Townsville Field Training Area is located off Hervey Range Road, about 45km from the regional city’s centre.
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, on Thursday said the state’s members of parliament were thinking of all involved.
“We have great respect for our service, men and women, what they do to keep us safe, the sacrifices they make. Our defence personnel are important to our state, and they’re very important to the Townsville community,” the premier said.
“I know the local community will stand beside those affected as the circumstances of this incident are understood and all in this house are thinking of everyone involved.”