UPDATE: Maj. Gen. John Uberti briefs media
[Click here for audio from the press conference.]
Maj. Gen. John Uberti, deputy commanding general III Corps and Fort Hood
FORT HOOD, Texas -- Maj. Gen. John Uberti, deputy commanding general III Corps and Fort Hood, speaks to media members outside the Marvin Leath Visitors Center at 8 a.m. June 3 at Fort Hood, Texas.
The general gave a brief statement regarding a tragic training accident June 2, in which flood waters killed five Soldiers and left four others still missing.
“Due to the quick action of some other Soldiers that were training, we were able to rescue three Soldiers who are in stable condition at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and will potentially be released later today,” Uberti said. “Our priority has been, since the first report of this incident and continues to be, the search for our four missing teammates.”
The general was joined at the podium by Col. Todd Fox, the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood commander, and Chief Coleman Smith from the Fort Hood Fire Department, and noted the outpouring of support to the post.
“I’d also like to thank the many emergency services personnel, not only Fort Hood emergency services, but the state and local community emergency services personnel who have so willingly come forward and have professionally been searching for our Soldiers,” he said. “I’d also like to thank the community for their outpouring of support, their thoughts and prayers. They will be needed in the tough days ahead. As you are all aware, this tragedy extends well beyond Fort Hood and the outpouring of support from around the country is sincerely appreciated. As I mentioned, while our priority remains on searching for our four missing Soldiers, we also are providing support and counseling for the Soldiers, Families and friends affected by this tragedy.”
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7:20 a.m. June 3, 2016
FORT HOOD, Texas – Maj. Gen John Uberti, deputy commander, III Corps and Fort Hood will conduct a press conference to provide an update on the swift water rescue efforts currently being conducted here. Interested media should meet at 8 a.m. June 3 at the South parking lot of the Marvin Leath Visitors Center off of T. J. Mill Blvd.
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The search continues for the remaining four missing Soldiers.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
2:50 p.m. June 2, 2016
FORT HOOD, Texas -- Fort Hood emergency officials continue to conduct rescue operations for an overturned Light Medium Tactical Vehicle at the Owl Creek Tactical low-water crossing and East Range Road.
Three confirmed deceased Soldiers were recovered from the water downstream from the vehicle.
The search is ongoing for six Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
Three Soldiers were rescued from the water near the vehicle and are in stable condition being transported from Coryell Memorial Healthcare System, Gatesville, Texas, to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center here.
Multiple resources from the Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services, local and state agencies have been deployed to assist with the rescue and recovery of personnel and property. Emergency operations include aircraft, canine search teams, heavy-ground equipment, swift-water rescue watercraft and search personnel.
Names of the deceased will not be released until 24 hours after all next of kin have been notified. More information will be released when it becomes available.
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11:51 a.m. June 2, 2016
FORT HOOD, Texas -- Directorate of Emergency Personnel responded to a swift-water rescue call at 11:20 a.m. June 2. A Light Medium Tactical Vehicle was stuck in an area near Cold Springs and Owl Creek off of East Range Road.
Emergency personnel have rescued six individuals and are still on the scene. Air support has been requested to assist in the search.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
(254) 287-9993
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1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave
Suite W105
Fort Hood, TX 76544
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