TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 12 (UPI) — An unidentified soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord was found dead late Friday after he parachuted from a plane during a training exercise.
The soldier, a member of the 1st Special Forces Group, was last seen during a parachute jump over Mason County, west of the base, about noon local time. His body was located about 10 p.m. after an extensive search. Rescue teams search for hours after the soldier was reported missing in rough, wooded terrain.
Sheriff Salisbury and SAR team members review maps for our search. pic.twitter.com/a6pVRnWWNH— Mason County Sheriff (@MasonCoSheriff) September 11, 2015
No details were released about the cause of the incident or where the soldier’s body was found. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office and the Army are investigating. The sheriff’s office said it was a “tragic training accident.”
The soldier has been found but he did not survive. An investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Army and MCSO. Tragic training accident.— Mason County Sheriff (@MasonCoSheriff) September 12, 2015
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and loved ones of the soldier involved in this tragic incident,” Col. Otto K. Liller, commander of 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) said. “We will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, and we will do everything in our power to support the family of the brave soldier who died today.”
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.