One cadet was killed and 20 others were injured on Thursday after an armored personnel carrier overturned during a training exercise at West Point Military Academy. Two active-service soldiers on the carrier were also injured.
Army and civilian first responders from Orange and Rockland counties attended the scene of the accident near Camp Natural Bridge, a summer training site, according to early reports.
At 8.18am, the US Military Academy tweeted: 'There has been an accident in the vicinity of the Camp Natural Bridge training site. Emergency vehicles are responding. Please avoid Route 293. More information will follow.'
The academy confirmed the cadet's death in a brief statement shortly after 10am.
'One cadet is reported deceased, 20 cadets and two soldiers are wounded that were involved in a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle accident that occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. off Route 293,' it read. 'The injured have been transported to local hospitals.'
Raw video shot by Chopper showed the overturned military vehicle resting on its roof with its wheels in the air, in a heavily wooded area.
The cadets and active-duty soldiers were traveling in a 5-ton truck known as a light medium tactical vehicle at 6.45am when it overturned on a fire break road just outside Camp Natural Bridge, where trainees live during the summer.
At least one cadet was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. NBC New York described the cadet as unresponsive during transit.
An additional four or five cadets were hospitalized from the site of the crash suffering from back pain.
Lieutenant Col. Christopher Ophardt could not provide the severity of the injuries or the name of cadet who passed away. He said the investigation of the cause of the single-vehicle accident was continuing.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo released a statement late Thursday morning saying he is directing the State Office of Emergency Management to provide any resources necessary to assist in the wake of the crash.
'My heart breaks for all those involved in the tragic training accident at West Point this morning,' Cuomo stated. 'These courageous cadets and soldiers represent the best of New York State and our country, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their bravery in choosing to serve our country and protect our freedoms.
'This incident is made all the more heart wrenching as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day today, a day where we remember those who gave their lives for our country.'
Classes ended at West Point last month, but the academy runs summer military training exercises for cadets in the heavily wooded hills outside the main gates.
It was the second cadet death at West Point this year. Cadet Peter Zhu died in February after a skiing accident. His parents made h
