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Marine killed, six others injured in Camp Pendleton training accident

Accident was second in 30 days

One marine was killed, and six others were injured in a rollover crash during a training exercise in U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Thursday, May 9.

The accident, involving personnel with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division occurred at about 9 a.m., according to U.S. Marine Corps officials.

A platoon commander, identified as 1st Lt. Hugh C. McDowell, was fatally injured when an armored vehicle overturned at the northern San Diego County U.S. Marine Corps station.

McDowell, a native of Washington, D.C., accepted his commission as a Marine Corps officer in May 2017. His awards include a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

The six injured marines were transferred to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla where they were treated for their injuries which were described as not serious. As of press time, three of the injured Marines have been released from the hospital.

The cause of the incident remains under investigation, according to 1st Lt. Cameron Edinburgh, public information officer for the 1st Marine Division, said.

“We recognize that military operations are inherently dangerous, and we take extreme precautions to ensure the safety and welfare of our Marines,” Edinburgh said. “This is a tragic accident, and we are heartbroken at the loss

of a member of our Marine Corps family. We will do all we can to comfort the family, friends and colleagues of Lt. McDowell.”

The accident occurred just three weeks after Staff Sgt. Joshua Braica, 29, of Sacramento, died when the tactical vehicle he was driving rolled over.

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was established in 1942 and is the Corps’ largest West Coast expeditionary training facility offering a broad spectrum of training facilities for many active and reserve Marine, Army and Navy units, as well as national, state and local agencies, according to the base website.

City News Service contributed to this story.

Kim Harris can be reached by email at [email protected].

 

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