Three Marines who were hospitalized following an amphibious assault vehicle accident in North Carolina have been released from the hospital, Marine officials said Monday.
Fifteen Marines and one sailor with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, were injured during an amphibious raid on Friday night aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The troops are currently assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is preparing for a deployment. The accident occurred during a predeployment training exercise.
Marine officials have declined to provide additional information about the nature or cause of the accident, which remains under investigation.
“The cause of the accident, and any additional details, will be released following the completion of the investigation,” said Capt. Sharon Hyland, a 24th MEU spokeswoman.
The accident involved a single AAV, officials said Saturday. All 16 injured troops were transported to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and New Hanover Hospital for treatment, according to a Marine Corps news release.
As of Saturday three Marines remained hospitalized, but have since been released.
Marines and sailors with the 24th MEU are preparing to deploy later this year. The MEU is in the last leg of its predeployment workup called Composite Training Unit Exercise.
The 24th MEU remains at sea during its final training exercise, Hyland said.
Staff writer Gina Harkins contributed to this report.
