A member of the Australian Defence Force has suffered life-threatening injuries in a vehicle rollover in north Queensland.
Paramedics were called to the single-vehicle rollover at Hervey Range Road near the army’s Townsville Field Training Area, west of the city, after 6:00pm on Wednesday.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said one patient suffered life-threatening injuries.
Additionally two men, one in their 30s and another in their 20s, were treated at Townsville University Hospital and had been discharged.
Multiple ambulance crews and a rescue helicopter were dispatched to the incident.
In a statement, the Department of Defence said it was limited in the details it could provide.
“Defence can confirm an incident involving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel occurred near Townsville last night,” the spokesperson said.
“The welfare of ADF members and their families is a priority and Defence’s focus is on supporting those involved.
“Due to the developing nature of the incident, no further information will be available at this time, and we request the privacy of Defence members and families is respected.”
The department said it would provide further updates when possible.
No update was available on the condition of the patient with life-threatening injuries.
Incident involved 3RAR
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson, who is an army veteran, said the incident involved the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade.
3RAR is the army’s armoured infantry brigade comprising of more than 4,000 personnel.
“They weren’t all there but that unit is very close, they are very tight-knit and they are rallying around each other in what is a tough time,” Mr Thompson said.
“They wanted to highlight the great work of [emergency services] on the ground who arrived very quickly.
“When tragedy hits, everyone comes together, but it is a sad day to hear of people injured during training.”
In 2021, two soldiers died in a single-vehicle rollover on a public road near the same training area.