On Monday, October 16, an accident involving a Leopard 2 A4 main battle tank occurred shortly before 5 p.m. at the Allentsteig military training area. For reasons as yet unknown, the tank left the road in the Seebrücke area and crashed over an embankment – killing a 24-year-old non-commissioned officer from the district of Ried im Innkreis.
Three other soldiers – a 23-year-old non-commissioned officer from Grieskirchen and two conscripts (19 and 20 years old, both from the Wels-Land district) were also slightly injured in the tank accident. They were discharged from hospital in the morning hours of October 17 after an examination and psychological treatment. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner is deeply saddened: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased soldier. It is a sad day for the Armed Forces. Those affected will receive support from the Armed Forces all the support and care they need. The course of the accident is currently being investigated. I would like to thank all the emergency services who made a rapid rescue chain possible and were able to provide immediate care for the injured. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.” The tank was traveling alone and on its way to the company, which had moved into its training area further west, in the Perweis area. The deceased non-commissioned officer was in the commander’s position during the journey and was trapped between the tank and the ground as a result of the accident. The Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation is currently investigating the scene of the accident. Experts from the Austrian Armed Forces are also on site. Once the tank has been released by the police, it will be recovered using heavy armored recovery vehicles from the Austrian Armed Forces, two M88s and a Greif. The investigation commission of the Military Command of Lower Austria can then continue its work. The soldiers of Tank Battalion 14 are still at the military training area in Allentsteig and are receiving psychological support if required. They are already spending their third week on site; the conscripts moved in in July. Most recently, on July 5, 2012, a professional soldier was killed in an accident with an armored personnel carrier, also at the Allentsteig military training area.
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