Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Fort Bragg soldier injured in Montana free-fall parachute jump training exercise soldier had an equipment malfunction and was forced to land in a residential area


Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (Photo by Lou Guilette)
A soldier was injured during a U.S. Army Special Operations parachute training exercise in western Montana.

Army officials at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, say 16 soldiers were conducting a free-fall parachute jump from two Blackhawk helicopters near Hamilton on Monday when one soldier had an equipment malfunction and was forced to land in a residential area.

Hamilton Police Chief Ryan Oster tells the Ravalli Republic (http://bit.ly/1hyhkcn) the soldier was picked up by a helicopter that landed on the street shortly after the accident.

Army officials say the soldier was being treated at a Missoula hospital. The extent of the injuries and hometown of the soldier were not released.

Hamilton businessman Tony Dees said the soldier's parachute was twisted and he fell straight to the ground.