(Reuters) – Three U.S. Army soldiers were killed and three injured on a base in the state of Georgia on Sunday when their armored car was involved in an accident during a training exercise, the Army said.
The incident involving a 37-ton Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle occurred early in the morning at the Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield in southeast Georgia, the base said in a statement released on Twitter.
“Today is a heartbreaking day,” said Major General Tony Aguto in the statement. “We are extremely saddened by the loss of three Dogface Soldiers, and injuries to three more. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the families affected by this tragedy.”
The three injured were taken for treatment to the Winn Army Community Hospital, the base said.
In the statement, the Army described the incident as an accident, but did not offer details.
Base officials were not immediately available for comment.
The soldiers, who have yet to be identified, are members of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, the base said.
Reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker