‘Multiple’ soldiers injured when two tanks collide near Shoalwater Bay
Multiple army personnel have been injured after two tanks collided during a military exercise north of Brisbane.
A Singapore Armed Forces spokesperson said a Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle rear-ended another while moving back to Shoalwater Bay Training Area, 100km north of Rockhampton, at 7.40pm on Tuesday.
“Twelve SAF servicemen sustained non-serious injuries and they have been transported to the hospital,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“They are currently being treated or recovering well.
“The safety and wellbeing of our people is of paramount importance.”
The spokesperson said the Singaporean army called for a safety pause to remind drivers to maintain proper distances between each other.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson said paramedics were called to Rockhampton Airport just before 8.30pm after multiple patients had been airlifted by a military Chinook helicopter.
The spokesperson said 10 patients were triaged and taken to Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries.
“We are aware another military helicopter transported a patient with more serious injuries to Rockhampton hospital from the initial scene,” the spokesperson said.
It is unclear why there is a discrepancy in patient numbers between reports.
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No Australian Defence Force personnel were injured.
Singaporean and Australian armed forces have been conducting joint operations at the Shoalwater Bay training area as part of Exercise Wallaby.
Around 6200 personnel, 490 vehicles and other machines will train until November 3.
This year marks the 34th anniversary of Exercise Wallaby which started in 1990.
