‘Tragic loss’: soldier dead in army training rollover
A close-knit defense community is in mourning after a deadly truck rollover during an army training course near a key garrison city.
A soldier has died and two others have been taken to hospital in a single-vehicle crash on Hervey Range Road, west of Townsville, in northern Queensland, just after 6.30pm on Wednesday.
The soldiers formed part of Townsville’s 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, an armored infantry battalion whose origins date back to 1945.
Defense Minister Richard Marles said the deceased soldier’s family, friends, loved ones and colleagues were in his thoughts.
“As a small, close-knit community, I know this will be felt in Townsville and throughout the Australian Defense Force,” he said on Twitter on Thursday.
“This is a tragic loss and the sacrifice of our service personnel weighs heavily on us all… today all Australians embrace the Townsville community and the 3rd Brigade.”
Local MP and former 1st Brigade member Phillip Thompson said he was “devastated” to hear the news.
“My thoughts, prayers and love are with the family, friends and loved ones of the fallen soldier,” the Afghanistan war veteran said.
“This tragic loss will be felt by the brigade, the army, Townsville and the wider defense community.”
Brigade commander Brigadier General Ben McLennan was due to address the public on Thursday afternoon.
The incident occurred during a training course at the Townsville Field Training Area.
Queensland Ambulance said multiple paramedics and a rescue helicopter attended the scene.
A “life-threatening” patient was evaluated at the scene.
A man in his 30s was taken to Townsville University Hospital in a stable condition with chest and abdominal injuries.
Another man in his 20s suffered a back injury and was taken to the same hospital in stable condition.
Both have since been released, the Ministry of Defense said.
Prime Minister David Crisafulli paid tribute to defense personnel ahead of the death being confirmed on Thursday morning.
“We have great respect for our soldiers, what they do, the sacrifices they make to keep us safe,” he said in his speech to the state parliament.
“As the circumstances of this incident become clearer, I know local people will stand with those affected.”
In August 2021, two soldiers were killed when a truck overturned south of Townsville.
The department was charged with violating federal occupational health and safety laws in September 2023 in connection with the incident.
In another incident at Lismore in northern NSW, 13 soldiers were taken to hospital during flood response in March when one truck rolled over and another tipped onto its side.
Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, son of former defense minister Joel Fitzgibbon, was killed following a parachute training incident at Richmond RAAF base in Sydney in March 2024.
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