4 hospitalized after parachute training exercise involving Alaska soldiers

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) – The Latest on an Army training parachute accident (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
Authorities say four of the 32 soldiers injured in a night parachute exercise in Mississippi have been admitted to a hospital.
Forrest General Hospital trauma medical director Dr. Duncan Donald says most were hurt trying to get out of trees in the dark and falling to the ground.
Officials say about 650 soldiers based in Alaska were blown into trees while jumping into Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center. A news release says 32 were injured. An Army parachute battalion commander wrote on Facebook that 87 were blown into trees and one had a broken back.
Donald says some soldiers had fractured vertebrae, but their spinal cords were OK. He says all should be fully recovered within three months.
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2:20 p.m.
Officials say 32 parachuting soldiers were injured and 18 of them hospitalized during a night exercise in Mississippi, and one suffered a broken back.
Officials say about 650 soldiers based in Alaska were jumping in to open a 10-day training exercise at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, and 87 of them were blown into pine trees. A news release says 32 were injured.
Lt. Col. Matthew Myer is commander of the Army first parachute battalion. He wrote on Facebook that 87 soldiers were blown into trees. He said the soldier with the spinal injury was among 18 who “required care,” and are all expected to recover. He says spinal surgery was a success and the soldier “is expected to recover well.”
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2 a.m.
At least 22 soldiers training at a Mississippi military base have been injured during a night parachuting exercise.
U.S. Army spokesman John Pennell tells WDAM-TV that at least 15 people hurt at Camp Shelby were treated by medics and another seven were hospitalized. Staff Sgt. John Healy says none of the injuries are considered to be life-threatening. Camp Shelby Cmdr. Col. Bobby Ginn says the troopers belong to the 4th Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division stationed at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
Pennell says about 89 paratroopers were on the plane for the Wednesday night exercise. Healy says about 650 soldiers were involved in the exercise. About 3,000 troops from the Alaska base are at monthlong training at Camp Shelby called “Operation Arctic Anvil.”

AP-WF-10-03-19 2107GMT