An Australian army soldier has died and two others have been injured in an accident during training in north Queensland.
The soldier was fatally injured in a vehicle rollover during a training course at the Townsville Field Training Area near Townsville on Wednesday, a Defence spokesperson said.
The government has confirmed the fleet of vehicles involved in the incident have been grounded, and are being transitioned out.
Paramedics treated three people at the scene of the single-vehicle incident on Hervey Range Road near Townsville on Wednesday evening, the Queensland ambulance service said.
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“A male in their 30s was airlifted in a stable condition with chest and abdominal injuries to Townsville University hospital. A third patient, a male in their 20s, suffered back injuries and was transported stable by road to Townsville University hospital.”
Multiple ambulances and a rescue helicopter attended the scene.
The defence minister and deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, offered his condolences to the family of the soldier who died, in a social media post.
“My thoughts are with the family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of the Australian Army soldier who has sadly passed away following a training incident near Townsville last night,” the minister said.
“As a small, tight-knit community I know this will be felt right across Townsville and the entire Australian defence force.
“This is a tragic loss and the sacrifice of our service personnel weighs heavily on us all. Our service men and women wear our nation’s uniform with pride and we recognise the risks they take each and every day in the defence of our nation.
“I know all Australians are embracing the Townsville community and 3rd Brigade today.”
Marles told the ABC on Thursday the fleet of M113 vehicles has been grounded and has been in operation “for a very long period of time”.
“This fleet is going to be transitioned into the Redbacks [infantry fighting vehicles], the new vehicles [are] currently being constructed and are starting to enter service within the Australian Army,” he said.
“There will be an ongoing life for the M113 armoured carrier fleet in terms of that transition but … we have suspended or grounded the fleet of the M113 until we have a better understanding of what has occurred here.”
The first of the 129 Redback vehicles which will replace the M113 fleet are due to be delivered in early 2027.
Police confirmed the accident took place on Defence land. The ADF’s Townsville Field Training Area is located off Hervey Range Road, about 45km from the regional city’s centre.
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, on Thursday said the state’s members of parliament were thinking of all involved.
“We have great respect for our service men and women, what they do to keep us safe, the sacrifices they make. Our defence personnel are important to our state, and they’re very important to the Townsville community,” the premier said.
“I know the local community will stand beside those affected as the circumstances of this incident are understood and all in this house are thinking of everyone involved.”
Sussan Ley, the leader of the opposition, said the incident was a “stark reminder of the risks” faced by ADF personnel.
“The Coalition extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Australian Army soldier who tragically passed away following a training incident near the Townsville Field Training Area,” she said in a statement on Thursday afternoon alongside other senior shadow ministers.
“Our thoughts are also with the two other ADF personnel who were seriously injured, their families, and their fellow service members during this difficult time.
“Incidents like this are a stark reminder of the risks our defence personnel face, even in training, in their commitment to serve and protect our nation with pride.”
