Live: West Point accident near training site | CNN

Deadly accident at West Point training site

Meg Wagner
By Meg Wagner, Elise Hammond and Mike Hayes, CNN
Updated 4:17 PM EDT, Thu June 6, 2019
West Point Camp Natural Bridge training accident vpx_00010824.jpg
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Fatal accident near West Point training site
2:17 • Source: CNN
West Point Camp Natural Bridge training accident vpx_00010824.jpg
2:17

What you need to know

  • What happened: A troop vehicle carrying 20 cadets and two soldiers rolled over this morning on its way to a training exercise at the US Military Academy at West Point.
  • The victims: One cadet has died, and 21 others suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including facial abrasions and a broken arm. Military officials say they were taken to regional medical facilities.
  • What else we know: The five-ton truck was driving through rough terrain when it rolled over, an official said. The cadets were at the site to participate in vigorous training that included introducing them to the combat.
17 Posts

Military official: "We're strong here at West Point"

Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, the superintendent of US Military Academy at West Point, thanked medical personnel and community partners for their help following the deadly accident at the US Military Academy at West Point this morning.

Here’s what he said during a news conference:

Military official confirms one cadet was killed in accident

Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams confirmed that one cadet has died and 21 other people suffered injuries during the rollover accident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and our injured,” Williams said. “I would like to commend the exceptional efforts and professionalism of the first responders and medical personnel and thank our great New York state police and our mutual aid partners.”

About the injuries: The injured cadets suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including facial abrasions and at least one broken arm, a hospital commander said.

Troop vehicle carrying 22 people rolled over this morning

A troop vehicle carrying 20 cadets and two soldiers rolled over this morning on its way to a training exercise, said Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, the superintendent of US Military Academy at West Point.

He continued: “The cadets were involved in a standard training exercise that occurs as a part of their military training program here at West Point.”

New York Attorney General "extremely saddened" to hear about the accident at West Point

New York Attorney General Letitia James tweeted she is “extremely saddened” to hear of the “tragic accident” at the US Military Academy at West Point Thursday.

James added: “My heart is with the family of the cadet we lost, and I’m praying for a speedy recovery for the multiple injured.”

Trump tweets about the accident: "We mourn the loss of life and pray for the injured"

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

President Trump tweeted Thursday he was sorry to learn of an accident near a West Point training site that left one dead.

At least one US Military Academy cadet died Thursday in a vehicle accident near an academy training site, and 20 other cadets and two soldiers were injured, the academy said.

Here's what we know — and don't know — about the accident so far

The US Military Academy said a deadly accident happened near West Point in New York this morning.

A person who answered the phone at West Point Military Police confirmed an armored personnel carrier was involved in the accident, but we’re still not clear on many other details.

We last caught you up at 10 a.m. ET. Here’s where things stand now:

  • Deadly accident: At least one person has died, a source familiar with the investigation said.
  • More wounded: At least 22 people — 20 cadets and two soldiers — were injured in the accident. We don’t know the extent of their injuries.
  • The scene: The accident happened at the Camp Natural Bridge training site near the US Military Academy at West Point, which is about a 45-minute drive away from New York City.

What it's like at the scene of the accident

At least one cadet died and 22 other people were injured after an accident at a West Point training site this morning.

CNN’s Polo Sandoval is on the scene at the Camp National Bridge training facility in Upstate New York, where first responders are guarding the entrance.

It’s about an hour drive from New York City.

Watch more:

New York governor directs state emergency management to provide resources
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The New York Governor is directing the State Office of Emergency Management to provide resources to assist following the “tragic training accident” at West Point Military Academy Thursday.

Here’s his full statement:

20 cadets and 2 soldiers were also injured in West Point accident

A total of 20 cadets were injured in this morning’s West Point accident that also killed one, the academy announced on Twitter.

Two soldiers were also wounded in the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle accident, according to the West Point Military Academy.

Here’s what the academy said on Twitter:

A fatal accident happened at West Point this morning. Here's what we know so far.

The US Military Academy said a deadly accident happened near West Point in New York this morning.

Details are still scarce, and we’ll keep you posted here as we learn more. Here’s what we know so far:

  • The victims: At least one person has died, a source familiar with the investigation said. We don’t know if any others were injured or how many people were present at the time.
  • The location: The accident happened at the Camp Natural Bridge training site near West Point Military Academy. It’s about 60 miles north of New York City.
  • What happened: A person who answered the phone at the West Point Military Police line confirmed an armored personnel carrier was involved in the accident.

West Point Cadets take part in a vigorous training program during summers at the academy

From CNN's Evan Simko-Bednarski and Eli Watkins

Today’s accident took place near a training site at West Point.

Here’s what summer training is like at the academy:

At least one person dead in the accident at West Point

From CNN's Evan Simko-Bednarski

A source familiar with the investigation says one person is dead in connection with the West Point accident.

Armored personnel carrier involved in accident

From CNN's Evan Simko-Bednarski

A person who answered the phone at the West Point Military Police line confirmed an armored personnel carrier involved in the accident.

Earlier today, the US Military Academy tweeted this:

In perspective: Where is Camp Natural Bridge training site?

The accident occurred in the vicinity of the Camp Natural Bridge training site near West Point Military Academy. Here’s where that is exactly:

  • Located in Highland Mill, New York
  • About 60 miles, or a 45 minute drive, north of New York City
  • Surrounded by several state parks including Harriman State Park, Schunnemunk Mountain State Park, and Bear Mountain State Park

Retired Major Gen. James “Spider” Marks, a CNN military analyst, said cadets go to the site during the summer for “vigorous military training.”

New York state troopers are on their way to the scene

From CNN's Evan Simko-Bednarski

New York State Trooper Steven Nevel said troopers are heading to the location of the accident to assist as needed.

Katie Felder, a public affairs officer at West Point, told CNN there was an accident this morning but could not provide further details.

Emergency vehicles are responding to accident near West Point

Emergency vehicles are responding to an accident near West Point in New York. The US Military Academy tweeted that the accident occurred in the vicinity of the Camp Natural Bridge training site.

The tweet urges people to avoid Route 293.

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